All kids love a puppet theater. The children enthusiastically watched the scene on the stage where the glove, growth or puppet doll play exciting scenes. Cute doll puppet useful for home theater. This doll can be bought, but you can make yourself.

History of puppets

Toys controlled via threads or cords skilled puppeteers, have an ancient history. It is believed that the first hinged puppets appeared in the XIV century. Dolls participated in the performances and much earlier, back in ancient Egypt, but the name of the "puppet" appeared only in the Middle Ages.

Medieval puppets used primarily for presenting religious themes. It is believed that the word "marionette" comes from the name of dolls depicting the Virgin Mary and is called «Mariotte» - a diminutive version named Maria. Over time, the name began to give all the dolls, which are controlled by strings. Some sources claim that the name "marionette" comes from the name of the inventor of dolls on the hinges - Italian Marioni.

Over time, the puppet began to participate in the performances, not only religious, but also with domestic subjects. The word "puppet" became a household word. So we call those who are not acting on their own initiative, and is managed by someone from outside.

The device puppets

Puppets are fundamentally different from other dolls control method. To the head, hands and feet attached puppets strong thread, the ends of which are fixed to the cross-shaped device, called a "crowbar". Wagga is in the hands of the puppeteer: lifting, lowering and tilting the device is in different directions, the puppeteer can make a puppet move one way or another. At the top of the loop provided crowbars rope or strap - through this loop is passed puppeteer left hand. Right-handed master weakens and pulls the thread, ensuring the accuracy of movements.

If the hands and feet dolls have joints, use more complex Wagga. Complicated design crowbars allows you to manipulate the doll in many different ways, causing it to perform a variety of tricks. Sometimes one common breaking bar attach several puppets to act simultaneously.

Puppets can be made of fabric, clay, papier-mache, wood or plastic. Lower limbs typically further heavier, e.g., lead.

The stage for puppet performances usually disassembled. Located at eye level platform allows viewers to watch the actions of the puppets. Puppeteers well hidden from the public with special obstacles behind the scenes. If the lighting is installed correctly, the thread that controls the doll, almost invisible against the background of the stage and in the audience the impression that the doll move without someone's help. For small children who have no idea how to control the puppets, dolls similar movements - the real magic.

Make your own puppet

The stores have a variety of dolls - simple and complex, good and evil. Some even a child can control, others are designed for the experienced puppeteers. But perhaps nothing compares with a doll made independently. Firstly, such a doll will exist in a single copy. Secondly, it will be possible to give any appearance and features, respectively, of character. Third, the process of making a doll is sure to be interesting to both children and adults.

Make a puppet with his own hands is not as difficult as it seems. Use for the manufacture of the doll can be virtually any material - balls, fabric, twine, wire, solid yarn, foam, wooden slats, cloves, plastic bottles. It is important that all the materials were light, otherwise it will be difficult to manage puppeteer puppet.

The greatest difficulty is the head of a puppet. Those who are able to mold can for the manufacture of a person to use polymer clay dolls. From this material can mold as from clay, and then "bake" the workpiece in the oven so that it becomes solid. Suit and a special clay frosting in the air.

It is much easier to use for doll heads the ball out of Styrofoam, rubber, plastic. At this ball, upholstered easy to draw a face. For hair Hair: structure, characteristics of growth and development   useful thread, thin fabric, straw and even hemp.

Body suit doll plastic bottle of shampoo or shower gels, which can be clad with a cloth. Also, the body of a puppet can be made of foam or just sew fabric and fill with cotton wool. From patches sewn doll clothes. Attire should reflect the essence of the puppet. Knight to face will be the armor of the foil or painted in a metallic shade of plastic fairy suit coat shiny bright colors, princess dress is necessary.

Frame doll made of thick wire. On head and legs doll wire outwards - it will be fixed thread with which you can control the puppet. Instead of threads, you can use the line.

When the doll is ready, attach it to remain Vahe. To produce useful crowbars, wooden planks, for example, will suit student line. Crowbars design depends on the complexity of the doll and the number of yarns to be used for control. You can restrict a simple cruciate vagoy can be made more complicated, consisting of a main, front and rear bars.

The last stage - Connect with vagoy doll. Now there is only a good workout before the show, because the puppet to control initially may be very difficult. But in the future on their own doll made sure it will be a success.

Maria Bykov