Our Christmas meeting was a very jolly affair, festive tables suitably decorated and a delicious lunch provided by the Committee. Judging by the buzz of conversation punctuated with laughter members enjoyed getting into the festive spirit and having the opportunity to socialise together. There was also an impressive selection of sparkly outfits to add a touch of glamour to proceedings.
When everyone had eaten and drunk as much as they could manage we settled down to listen to Alix Booth talking about puppets. Alix is a professional puppeteer who acquired her first puppets aged 11 and has spent a life time bringing her charges to life. Some of her puppets are 150 years old and puppetry dates back to ancient times but it was in Georgian England that the puppets we most recognise today came to the fore. Puppeteers were the satirists of their day, it is only in modern times that Punch and Judy have come to be regarded as children’s entertainment. Historically puppet shows were the “Have I Got News For You” of their day and were a way of lampooning unpopular leaders and politicians. And like the modern “Splitting Images” characters, traditional puppets would have exaggerated features and big mouths.
Having given us a brief history of puppets Alix went on to talk about her own puppets and how her collection grew from those first inherited puppets of her childhood to the extensive troupe she has now. Over the years she has acquired puppets from other sources but the majority she has made herself. Well, she has made the papier-mâché heads and hands but by her own admission she is not a needlewoman and she has out sourced the clothing bit! The way puppets move is largely dependent on how they are dressed. Clothes have to be appropriate, allow access for the puppeteer and move smoothly when the puppet is being worked. The fabrics used also have to tell an instant story so before a puppet moves or speaks you can recognise something about them from the quality of the clothing. Alix has been fortunate enough over the years to find several talented dressmakers who have helped to bring her puppets to life however she described how the addition of something as simple as a feather boa could make all the difference to the character of the puppet.
Alix then went on to introduce us to a selection of her puppets, some of whom she seldom uses these days but who illustrated the importance of size and colour. Among the most enchanting were the shy unicorn and the late Queen Elizabeth II. It was extraordinary how they came to life, you could see Alix was speaking but her voice changed subtly and the puppets became real and instantly recognisable. At the end of a very entertaining talk members had the opportunity to examine the puppets having been warned sternly not to touch their hair which can unravel very easily!
Photographs and text approved by Alix Booth
