Puppetry was used in a variety of ways and on three scales. The smallest scale was the puppet booth with one or two operators inside. The shows would last from 10 to 15 minutes and contained information about the race weekend based on published information and interviews with drivers and officials. Puppet show material can be easily updated. They were a great favourite with families and children. The booths were decorated in designs that marked them as part of the overall Theatre & Media productions.

Puppets were also made on human scale and operated from inside. These have included iconic images for the bush such as sheep and galahs, but also gorillas and a variety of other characters that could transform by changing the shape or adjusting the position of the costume. Features could be exaggerated such as the feet and the head. These might be found strolling the street, in street processions and in the grand parade. They are largely made from fabric, foam plastic and closed cell foam which can create self supporting shapes for costumes, heads and hats.

Giant puppets three times human size were made over old cars for the grand parade. These were articulated amd made from cane, wires and fabric fixed on with a variety of glues. We experimented with muslin, calico glued with PVA, latex carpet glue and newspaper glued with flour and water. All worked though the flour and water only lasted for the rain soaked parade while the latex lasted two years before the puppet (left outside) was finally taken apart. The paint protected the flour and water puppet which had been laid over a wickerwork frame of willow wands harvested locally. While this was a cheap way to make a giant puppet it was labour intensive.

Some of these puppets were operated from inside and some were operated from outside through the use of rods. Some combined both techniques. These were effective images in that they were playful, could be seen easily from a distance and had a life of their own because they moved.

Principle play around with scale, if you have a large image make a small one of it somewhere.
Principle repeat images. Make a series of the same image and put them together in all sorts of combinations.

S A F E T Y
The practical work involved in devising celebrations requires the occupational health and safety practices associated with the visual and performing arts. Always put safety first.