I woke up today and saw a link to a TV appearance of the great Conrad Hartz with his vent figures and Marionettes...

I realized that's something I can add to my act...MARIONETTES

Can anybodyy suggest a nice and reliable site to buy marionettes from?

I already emailed Mr Hartz, a Czech maker and a French maker...

I would appreciate any other suggestions...

Thanks

Wanlu

Okay...here's a keychain my son and I converted into a marionette this afternoon

You think we have a future in this?

http://wanlu99.multiply.com/video/item/27/Marionette

Finally got an Email from a Check Marionette maker...

I may order 1 or 2 soon

It's kinda interesting and might just add spice to my act

Back in 1987 I purchased a 1950's style piano player. Over the years I have taken the piano out(less to carry) but have had much success with the Master Craft Marionettes. I don't think they are in business anymore..perhaps you can find one second hand.

In the mid 80's I got a chance to use marionettes interacting with live actors. The dwarfs in Snow White were "played by marionettes. Working high above the stage was quite the experience.

Making marionettes out of things like key chains, stuffed animals, or other toys is a great creative exercise. Also think Slinkiess, plastic milk jugs and other things you have around the house.

Your dance with the marionette is a great start. When you get a properly weighted marionette the legs and feet will cooperate a bit more. (loved the energy and music..reminded me of the scarecrow dance in Wizard of Oz.

Enjoy your branching out.

Thanks Harris

I got an email from a Czeck marionette maker already...

I'm still undecided which one to get...Im hoping I can get a figure that can sing and dance...

In the meantime, what I have in mind are the ff

Old Couple
Jazz Trumpeteer
Charlie Chaplin

Almost $700 for all 4 including shipping that's why I want to take time to decide...when I was starting in Ventriloquism, I bought a lot of figures that I did not really want

Im hoping I can get the exact marionettes that I want and not waste time, effort and money again

A song and dance thing might be nice for a kidshow

Ha! The keychain puppet was pretty funny!

The arms worked pretty well and it had great character.

I love my puppet so much I'm marionette!

I have a few. Don't use them in public though. They're very hard to do well. It's a pity cheshire cat isn't still on the Café he does them in his act.

I have 2 of the long-legged long legged furry ones, they're easy to make walk and snoop but can't do much else. Although, I once saw a 10 foot high one. I did think about getting one, dressing in black on stilts and selling it as a walk-around for night clubs.

I also have a Czech one. I bought it in Prague. It's a character called Spebjl.
It's quite nice although hard to work and chips easily. It's got a clay head, hands and feet. I think porcelian is generally better than clay and wood (hand carved) is often the best of the lot.

I think the way they make the joints is quite important, too. Might be something worth researching before you buy them.

best of luck,
George

P.S. I love the marionette work in "In being John Malkovich", there's a good marionette clip from the paul Daniels show on you tube.

Marionettes work well with all audiences..

Depending on of course...the type of dance, music, stage setting...song...

Since I am a magician I have also looked at the Trumpeteer. Folks for years have been waiting for Nigel to play the harmonica. (yes small harps and tapes have been tried)

Break dancing, Irish Jig...Kazazki....limbo...

Your point about buying things that will go into your show is very important...

I believe these are at times available on the Ebay. Of course it is always important to know the seller.(or others that do)

Thanks Harris and Magicgeorge

Ironically, they are much cheaper in Ebay than from the Marionette sites I Googled...would you believe the $700 items from a site will only cost half from an Ebay seller?

I might just get them from an Ebay seller who has more than 600 positive feedbacks

Thanks again,

Wanlu

Got an offer from a Dave Allen...

Conrad Hartz speak highly of him...has anyone here worked with Mr Allen's marionettes?

A lot more expensive than the ones in Ebay but his might be more profesional

Okay...decided to get one from Dave Allen and one from the Czech maker...got myself a couple of pro marionettes


A Chaplin from the Czech and a Skeleton from Dave

This might just be an interesting addition to my act

This is the one Im getting from the Czech maker...the moving eyes and mouth feature is really interesting

The one Im getting from Dave is a skeleton with moving mouth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G865ZpWzXk

Practice, practice, practice.

Oh yes...til know I practice with my vent figures

I'm sure it will take a lot of practice manipulating those marionettes

Hey James...I visited your website and saw that you work with marionettes.

How long have you been performing with them? Where do you get your marionettes?

Thanks

Wanlu

I have been making and performing professionally with my puppets and marionettes for more than 10 years.I make all the puppets and marionettes for my show.
I perform mainly with trick marionettes and customised many of the puppets to specific songs. You can view my older puppets and marionttes at:<www.mascotsandpuppets.com>.I'll be happy to answer some of your questions.
Maps

I use a marionette in my show too.
But I use a very simple marionettes, a furry duck with two legs and long neck.

Since it is cheap and easy to play, I teach my kids audience to play with it also.
They love it and their parents love it too.

This is part of my warming up program.

Hey maps...you have some very nice marionettes I particularly like the grasshopper

hey Budi what kind do you use?

I'm getting a Chaplin and a Skeleton both with moving mouth

Thanks Wanlu. I will be performing at the Bangkok Magic Convention in Oct.Will you be there?
I made a singing skeleton and another skeleton whose head pops out and the limbs back breaks apart and came together.
The grasshopper plays the violin and dances.I also have an acrobat and a tight rope walker in my repertoire.I have jugglers and celebrities like Carmen Miranda and Elvis and I am in the process of making a Michael Jackson.
I think I've made about 200 marionettes.I just finished making and performing with an actor look-alike marionette in a off Broadway show.

I saw Maps in Bangkok last convention...really great show...
I still remember his dog mrrionett...Wanlu I think you will love it...

CC

Thank you Ssucahyo,I'll be bringing a new marionette act there.Hope to see you there.