Hand Puppets

History of Hand Puppets

Far back in our history story telling usually involved out hands, even if they were bare. As time has progressed, cultures have come up with a new and effective way. Even little steps with finger puppets came into play. In various countries people would perform with hand puppets on streets to provide entertainment to people just passing by.   These puppets would be those people’s voices, discussing topical issues at times. With puppets, the issues may be real but the puppets are not, I think that is what people are fascinated by, that this lifeless object has now been brought to life and is discussing something that you could relate to.  As puppetry has evolved, puppets are not only on stage but they are on television and in movies. Jim Henson and Shari Lewis are great examples. Lewis’ lamp chop on television was wonderful entertainment to children and Henson’s Muppets are always classic to anyone because parents grew up watching them and their children can still appreciate them cause they can watch them as well on their television shows. 

These puppets are traditional puppets

These puppets are new and modern.

What it would be like to see a puppet show

With seeing a puppet performance there are many things to consider. If you are bringing a small child to see a performance of the Muppets, your child will be able to interact with the puppets because that is what the creators want. I have to say with most of any puppet show, interaction between the audience and the performers is key. When a puppet hits another in a funny manner, people are bound to laugh, and with that it tells the performer they are doing a good job and to continue on. The same goes for stand up comedians that have puppets such as Jeff Dunham, he uses puppets to make jokes and carry on through a story. It mostly depends if the puppets are for older adults or for children to decipher what is expected but for the most part communication is what is expected as an audience member. 

Interesting Facts

• Jim Henson decided to use the name Muppet because it was a combination between marionette and puppet. 

• Hand puppets are also used to help children that have trouble speaking, if the child can learn to carry on a conversation with a puppet , parents can try moving to actual people.

Quick Tutorial on how to make a simple puppet

Sources

Felner, Mira, and Claudia Orenstein. The World of Theatre: Tradition and Innovation. Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon, 2006. Print. 

"Hand Puppets Guide." Childrens Puppets - Hand Puppets | Puppet Sets | Finger Puppets | Puppet Theatres. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. <http://www.puppetstoyou.com/hand_puppets_guide.html>. 

Hamlett,, Christina. "The History of Hand Puppets | EHow.com." EHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/facts_5407156_history-hand-puppets.html>. 

"World of Puppets - Not So Scary Monsters." Madasafish. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. <http://members.madasafish.com/~openbanana/puppets/page14.htm>.

For the two pictures:

From google images, I have the url.

http://www.puppetmuseum.com/FREECOLL/FREEIMAG/paperclip/Pb190226-ppc-2.jpg

http://images.birthdayexpress.com/bexpress/assets/product_images/E74853.jpg