Marionettes
Image: Hoopoe by Sarah Vigars
A marionette is a puppet controlled from above, either using strings or rods. The puppet is more distant from the puppeteer, giving a feeling that the puppet is moving on its own.
The freedom of movement in a marionette is greatest of all puppets as there are no restrictions from rods or hands – the movement they can achieve is impressive and can be very graceful. Marionettes are considered to be the most difficult to master as a puppeteer and the more complex ones can take years to make and master the movements of.
Examples of marionettes in this exhibition are the Hoopoe made by Sarah Vigars and the Pied Piper by John Roberts.
Featured Puppet: The Pied Piper
Short film of Marionette puppet, The Pied Piper, on display in the exhibition
Film by JM Media