Doctor HANS VASHING
Yes, it's a terrible pun !
A German doctor called DOCTOR HANDS WASHING.
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Just what the show needs after covid to remind the kids to keep washing their hands.
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Old leftover bits of hardened pulp were hot glued together to make the foundation of this puppet . Totally random, but it did end up making a nice shaped head.
As he was intended to pop up on the show many times with different puppets, this figure was not tailored to a left or right hand, but rather made loose and ambidextrous fitting.
Thats why he has a stubby stick instead of a regular neck for my fingers.
The stick can be grabbed fast for very sudden appearances of this character ... no need to even put my fingers into his arms, just a quick 'pop-up' and vanish.
A useful trick !
When his hands are fixed on there are a few bits of body padding to stitch on before his costume can be added. The shirt is made in several separate parts.
There isn't going to be just one puppet: there is going to be a "Stunt Double" duplicate with a much longer body.
A duplicate puppet means everything need building twice...
Sometimes I can cut puppet clothes freehand. But some garments really need a pattern making first.
Waistcoats always need a pattern making first, especially when the fabric has stripes that need to align neatly.
The "Stunt Double" will be whizzing round and round like a Catherine wheel ( Mr Punch will be spinning him round outside the proscenium).
Padding newspaper round the wooden core for the stunt head, while enjoying a 'socially distanced' cuppa at my neighbours.
Because of the movement, this second puppet will really only be a blur to the audience. So there is no pressure to get it looking like an identical twin.
Nevertheless it's nice to get quite close with the likeness.
DONE ! ... ready to keep popping up all through the show to remind the audience to keep washing their hands and avoid touching their face, to stay safe from Covid.
