where everyone's heads are at

This is probably boring for the average person, but I wanted to share what a usual production e-mail looks like. This is a recent correspondance between our puppet designer and our costume designer, it shows the level of detail that everyone has to go into months in advance of rehearsal.

Hi,

Thanks for your kind words about our puppets. We are very much looking forward to your costumes.

You probably already know all this but…

Here is some more information about how the puppeteers hold/operate the puppets or have access to the mechanics inside them. This really does not impact design as much as construction. All the puppets except Falstaff are operated externally. However, most of them need ways to get the puppeteers hands through the costumes and into the puppet. Where the access points are will be easy to see once you get the puppets.

Access to head controls:

Caius, Shallow, Evans, Fenton, Quickly, and Pistol need access to their controls through their backs usually just between where their shoulder blades would be if they had shoulder blades.

Slender has a control handle just outside his body high up on the back.

Anne Page, Robin head controls are operated from below. Anne Page’s will be easy with her dress/gown. Her Flower petal drop rig will be up inside her suspended from her shoulders. Robin’s control will come out his rear. (Ouch)

Access to hand controls:

Caius, Shallow, Evans-Their hands are the puppeteers hand. There should be a re-inforced slit at the elbows.

My collaborators insist that boning or nylon ribbing is not necessary to keep the access point open and just makes the access point more noticeable. They just need to be able to get their hands in and out fast. The puppeteers will more than likely be switching hands. Therefore, both elbows should be opened.

Quickly, Fenton, Pistol, and Slender have rods coming out from their elbows. Their hands are puppet hands.

Anne Page and Robin hands are controlled by rods attached into the hands or wings. These are outside their bodies.

The legs and feet, I think we have already given out info. But let us know if you need more.

Rugby is a soft stuffed puppet with direct control. That is, the puppeteer grabs whatever is needed to be animated.

Simple is simple. He probably does not have a costume however since he is supposed to be a block of wood.

Quickly Fairy Queen will be a double. Right now we are not sure if she is operated from below or behind. We are waiting to see what the set designer, Mr. Bradley, will come up with for us to get some height.

Speaking of Quickly, would it be possible for her to have a head cover for the housekeeper version? We would like to just give her little wisps of hair under this cap. We will give the Fairy Quickly long flowing hair, so that she will have an even more fairy like quality.

We are also given Quickly hip movement so that she has a sweeping quality when she walks. She is modeled after a broom.

Sorry for such a long email. I hope this is useful information.

Bye and thanks,

Jon Ludwig