Recognised as the “theatrical event of the decade” by the UK Sunday Times, War Horse has enthralled British audiences since 2007. Still running and perennially sold-out, it might come as a surprise that the lead character is a life-size equestrian puppet. Not to mention that it was designed, created and performed by South Africa’s own Handspring Puppet Company.
“What is a puppet? The question often gets a common-sense answer, which does not entirely satisfy. A puppet is a doll, figurine or object that, through skilful performance strategies, is made to seem alive. But the enigma of the puppet is not captured by such literal definitions. In their own work, Handspring Puppet Company have never put aside the riddle, and in every performance the puppeteers demonstrate a regard for the strange processes within which they are making meaning,” writes Jane Taylor in the company’s newly published book, Handspring Puppet Theatre.
Founded in 1981 by Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, the Handspring Puppet Company creates demanding puppet theatre for discerning adult audiences, out of their home base in Kalk Bay. Including collaborations with the likes of artist William Kentridge, their 11 plays and two operas have enthralled South African audiences for almost three decades. But nowadays, they’re much bigger than just this country.
Go life-size with the Handspring Puppet Company at the Design Indaba Conference from 24 to 26 February 2010.
Buy their book from David Krut Publishing at the Design Indaba Expo from 26 to 28 February 2010.
Recognised as the “theatrical event of the decade” by the UK Sunday Times, War Horse has enthralled British audiences since 2007. Still running and perennially sold-out, it might come as a surprise that the lead character is a life-size equestrian puppet. Not to mention that it was designed, created and performed by South Africa’s own Handspring Puppet Company.
“What is a puppet? The question often gets a common-sense answer, which does not entirely satisfy. A puppet is a doll, figurine or object that, through skilful performance strategies, is made to seem alive. But the enigma of the puppet is not captured by such literal definitions. In their own work, Handspring Puppet Company have never put aside the riddle, and in every performance the puppeteers demonstrate a regard for the strange processes within which they are making meaning,” writes Jane Taylor in the company’s newly published book, Handspring Puppet Theatre.
Founded in 1981 by Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, the Handspring Puppet Company creates demanding puppet theatre for discerning adult audiences, out of their home base in Kalk Bay. Including collaborations with the likes of artist William Kentridge, their 11 plays and two operas have enthralled South African audiences for almost three decades. But nowadays, they’re much bigger than just this country.
Go life-size with the Handspring Puppet Company at the Design Indaba Conference from 24 to 26 February 2010.
Buy their book from David Krut Publishing at the Design Indaba Expo from 26 to 28 February 2010.
