A FIRM FAVOURITE IN THE SHOW
KIDS LOVE HIM !
A bit like the Crocodile; the Bogey is a character that I would never leave out of my show.
The sadly missed Rod Burnet had a Bogey in his show. It hid in a box and popped out only ever saying the phrase "I am a Bogey".
That was the inspiration for me having this green giggle generator in my show. I use him in a different way to Rod, but that's how things should be.
But its nice to take inspiration from other
Punch & Judy men.
I hope some of my own routines likewise inspire others. We can but hope !
This Bogey had done lots of years by the time the Queens jubilee came around in 2022.
I wanted the Bogey to pop down and appear to grab a Union Jack flag, so I needed a new puppet with a magnetic arm for this bit of business.
He has done sterling work for a few years , but I think he is too big.
So it's time to make a new , smaller version.
In 2022 I replaced the Old Bogey with this one for the Jubilee Show.
I was building so many extra puppets for the jubilee Show that I did not have time to complete the sculpting of a new bogey I had begun in 2018.
So I grabbed this wooden puppet and used it as the Jubilee Bogey.
He was carved , but unpainted.
This was never intended to be a Bogey : I think it's too large. But it has remained in my Heights show since 2022.
For my regular touring show, I have continued using the smaller 'original' Bogey.
But now its time to finish the 'new' Bogey, and use him in both shows.
Fortunately I had this sculpt started way back in 2018 and never finished.
He's not much to look at now.
But from small acorns....
Jump ahead to 2025 and it's time to put a sleeve on this snotty chappie.
I have to remind myself this is not the first time in my career I have worked with snotty puppets : GILBERT the Alien from 'Get Fresh' had a constantly dribbling runny nose !
Covering the green inner sleeve with black velvet and sewing it into place.
Stitching the Black outer and green inner selves together.
Adding the strap to hang him up with inside the puppet theatre.
Beads sewn at the 'join' line will help to blend the puppet into the sleeve.
The glittery green glass beads will add a bit of shimmer and sparkle when he's performing out in the sunshine.
PVA wood glue and fabric are used to thoroughly strengthen the bond between fabrics and pulp sculpting.
A final layer of paper mache pulp not only blends the join, but also gives him a bit more character.
After a very long wait since 2018, he is now ready to paint.
Even though he is green, it's the same process as with any puppet :
First a base coat of foundation colour.
Then Shadows and creases.
Next Highlights and Details.
All done and ready for the 2025 Heights of Abraham Summer season.
