After my new found appreciation of shadow puppets, I am delighted to write about a new show offered by The Victoria Philharmonic Choir (in Victoria, British Columbia, CANADA).  It is Dvorak’s The Spectre’s Bride and it brings together the artistic talents of awesome puppeteer Tim Gosley, puppet designs of Michel Gagne (see some samples here) and is led by artistic director Simon Capet.  Capet says,

“The music itself is fantastic, and now we have wonderfully fresh English lyrics by Victoria writer Mollie Kaye, who has done a remarkable job – the words are dramatic, humorous, visual, andoften funny. A musician herself, she has created images and phrases that further enhance Dvorak’s evocative score. I think you’ll find the results very immediate and a lot of fun,”

Performances are Tuesday October 30^th and Wednesday October 31^st at The University of Victoria’s Farquhar Auditorium.  Tickets for The Spectre’s Bride are now on sale through the UVIC box office, 250.721.8480. Ticket prices range from $15 to $29.50.  For more information visit the Spectre’s Bride website here.

I came across this video a while back and I have had it saved in my favourites folder.  The video uses the song “Without Me” by Eminem and changes the lyrics while using puppets for many of the visuals.  The puppets are from The Puppet Studio and the fact that I like the instrumental to this song makes it quite catchy indeed.  Please be advised that the song is obviously politically one sided (as is often the case with politics).  But I posted this song for the puppetry not the politics.  I like the puppets and the instrumental.  I hope you do too.

As an elementary school teacher I have the fortune of meeting and talking with a large number of parents about puppets and puppetry.  Last year a spoke with a mother of a student at my school who had wonderful  things to say about their “Muppet Vacation” in Jamaica.

Yes, that’s right.  At Beaches vacation spots there are walk around full body Muppets that interact with the visitors.  I am sure any puppet (or specifically Muppets) fan would love this kind of vacation.   

The truth is that I think this is a great idea.  Vactions are about relaxing and having fun.  Being a father now I can see how the latter is just as important as the former.  How cool wuld it be to have a party with Bert and Ernie?  Or go on a bug hunt with Grover?  I am already thinking about going with my family.  But I’ll have to start saving.  Read more about it here.

It’s rapidly approaching……the skipton puppet festival runs from the 20th to the 23rd September. If you live in the uk or are visiting at that time get yourself along there. Puppet companies from the UK will be there of course as well as from France, The Netherlands, Germany and Belgian.

See their website for more details