DAY FOUR: PUPPETRY HERO/MENTOR CHALLENGE I have been challenged by the fabulous Ronnie Burkett to post one puppetry hero or mentor every day for five days, and, in turn, each day challenge someone else to do the same. Today I nominate Tim Denton , Sue Blakey, and Lorina Harding to take up this challenge. If I am to attach the label of “mentor” on to anyone it has to be first and foremost Richard Bradshaw, shadow puppeteer of world renown, as well as a writer, director, and puppetry historian. Richard has been my mentor, friend, and colleague for 27 of my 35-year career. In the early days of the New Zealand Puppet Theatre (NZPT), despite the guidance I was receiving from Arthur and Barbara Thompson (Goodwin Marionettes), I was hungry to learn about other forms of puppetry and make international connections. In 1985 Jim Henson’s ‘World of Puppetry’ TV series was broadcast like mana from heaven profiling Sergei Obraztsov and Bruce Schwartz (whose shows I had already seen), Henk Boerwinkel, Albrecht Roser, Philippe Genty (all three of whom I would meet at future times) and of course Richard Bradshaw. One of the NZPT board members Sue Paterson knew Richard and encouraged me to write to him. “Invite him to create a theatre-in-education show for us. The worst that can happen is that he will say ‘no’.” As it happens Richard agreed and came to Auckland in 1988 to write and direct “The Kawau Connection”, a two-hander for tabletop style puppets about endangered species. Thus began an enduring friendship. Richard wrote two more plays for the NZPT: “Puppet Power!” and an adaptation of “Treasure Island”. While I was Artistic Director of Terrapin Theatre, I commissioned Richard to write a puppet play to celebrate Hans Christian Andersen’s 200th Anniversary – “The Storyteller’s Shadow” that toured to festivals in Denmark, Singapore and Malaysia. Most people only know Richard for his brilliant, funny and inventive shadow puppets, however his knowledge and proficiency extends across all forms of puppetry. His latest show “Tom Thumb” is a political satire using flat puppets on a tabletop. Richard is a walking encyclopaedia of puppetry and a storehouse of puppetry related anecdotes. Those who know him well will attest that his life seems to be a series of extraordinary coincidences. I think that Richard is a keen observer of people and life so not even the most mundane incident; conversation or meeting escapes his attention. He has a very dry wit and has on occasion caused me to actually roll on the floor laughing, struggling for breath. He is fond of saying “All puppets do is come on and go off”, which is often very true. Richard has not only generously taught me his marvellous shadow puppetry mechanisms but has imparted to me the importance on knowing every aspect of our art form, from history and origins to forms and techniques. We have a shared (and competitive) passion for collecting Punch & Judy memorabilia. Above all Richard has taught me the need for humour and not to take myself too seriously, which is something I need to remind myself of often. I am very thankful to know and be mentored by this kind, funny and learned man who has enriched my life as a puppeteer in immeasurable ways. Enjoy this classic clip. https://youtube/watch?v=tNsJ6kDVbfk
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 05:58:08 +0000
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