Queen Elizabeth the First
MADE IN 2012 FOR THE JUBILEE OF ELIZABETH THE SECOND
A few inspirational images. As usual I copied and robbed from here and there, but ultimately came up with my own look.
The plain wood stage:
Always exciting to start a new puppet
Laying out a selection of fabrics to see which ones will combine together the best.
I already know this will be a very sumptuous costume.
I plan to be able to use her with or without the elaborate stand up lace collar.
In any case it is useful to be able to remove it for storage and travel.
As ever, magnets are a trusty fixing for this.
As with a full size Elizabethan costume, the 'stomacher' is often the most lavishly detailed part.
I had found some nice beaded braid , but it was clear this would not be nearly enough on its own.
Many, many hours of sewing on individual beads would be needed.
Experimenting with some bright red wool for hair.
This will give her more than a flavour of Bette Davis.
So much beadwork on the costume and in the headpiece.
Even now, well over a decade later, I still look back and marvel at my own patience!
With all the parts completed, at last the final assembly can begin.
The paint job of her exaggerated makeup really was the finishing touch she needed.
Getting to proudly show her off at the 2012 Covent Garden Mayfair Puppet Festival.
In 2022 this spectacular puppet was once again on stage in my "Right Royal Romp" Jubilee show at the Heights of Abraham.
