Puppets
Puppetry is an ancient art form believed to have originated 4000 years ago. Puppet theatre has likely existed longer than writing of every kind, and some experts believe that puppet theatre pre-dates actors in theatre.
Not only have puppet shows been a source of entertainment for thousands of years, but they have also served to animate and communicate the ideas and needs of human societies. Hieroglyphs describe “walking statues” being used in ancient Egyptian religious dramas. There are also traditions among Native American tribes of the use of puppet-like figures used in ritual magic.
Fun Puppet Facts
Fun Facts About Puppets
- Hieroglyphs in Egypt describe “walking statues” used in religious rituals.
- Some experts believe that puppet shows came before human theater.
- The word “Muppet” is a combination of the words “marionette” and “puppet”.
- Aristotle and Plato describe puppets in some of their writings.
- Puppets have existed in nearly every civilization through every century.
- In the 18th century, composers including Joseph Haydn wrote operas to be performed by marionettes. In Austria, the Salzburg Marionette Theatre continues to put on puppet operas.
The marionette puppets we are most familiar with today became popular in Europe during the nineteenth century.
Types of Puppets
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- Hand puppets, marionettes, rod puppets, toy theaters, and shadow figures from around the world.
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- Punch and Judy puppets were originally string puppets when they were brought over to England from Italy in the seventeenth century. They were reinvented as glove puppets (a type of hand puppet) to allow more freedom of movement without strings getting in the way. These puppets were operated by placing the thumb in one arm and the middle, ring, and little fingers in the other. The index finger goes in the head.
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- Marionettes (also known as string puppets) are controlled by strings or wires attached to a control bar. String puppets have been around for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until the Middle Ages in France that the term “marionette” was first used. The puppets featured in “The Lonely Goatherd” in The Sound of Music are marionettes.
- Rod puppets are operated from beneath by wooden or metal rods. They can be marottes, which are a type of stick puppet with a single rod. They can also have heads that operate like glove puppets while rods control the arms. Several of Jim Henson’s muppets are rod puppets.
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Tony Sarg (born Anthony Frederick Sarg) was a German-American puppeteer and illustrator. He is considered the father of modern American puppetry. He mentored Bill Baird, who created the puppet scene for The Sound of Music. Bill Baird, in turn, mentored Jim Henson, who created the Muppets.
He produced and toured puppet shows throughout the United States. He also wrote and illustrated children’s stories, which made it possible for children to participate in puppetry at school and home.
Tony Sarg was the creator of the first parade floats for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. So, if you love parade floats, you have Tony Sarg to thank. Before he created his parade floats, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades featured caged exotic animals, which scared small children.