What’s in a name? The sense or non-sense of labelling puppets in contemporary Western theatre

Marie Kruger

doi:10.1080/23311983.2014.990866

Abstract

AbstractDifferent terms can be use for puppet theatre: figure theatre, object theatre and animation theatre. Contemporary performances including puppets are nowadays often referred to as multimedia performances, crossover theatre and visual theatre. Some artists avoid the word “puppet” because of negative associations: close association with children and low status amongst the arts. Professional puppetry in many Western countries has evolved into a wide-ranging theatre form. Puppets traditionally used to be seen in isolation in performance and a distinct line could be drawn between puppet theatre and other forms of theatre, but the bonding with other art forms has diminished this segregation. As an artistic label, “puppet theatre” is perhaps not always appropriate as it does not acknowledge the artistic scope and complexity of an art work in which multiple visual and acoustic elements are applied, and this bonding raises questions about genre as a classification system.

Highlights

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENTNot all adults are regular supporters of puppet theatre, many have a childhood recollection of the art form
Different terms, deriving from different conditions, have been applied over the years to puppetry in live performances or as a form of “theatre art” (Jurkowski, 1988, p. 31; Tillis, 1992, p. 25) in Western countries
Eclectic performances including puppets are nowadays often referred to as multimedia performances and crossover theatre, and they are often labelled as visual theatre or called theatre with puppets or just theatre

Summary

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Not all adults are regular supporters of puppet theatre, many have a childhood recollection of the art form. Apart from terms such as “puppet show” and “puppet theatre”, some people know the art form as figure-, objector animation theatre. In the programmes of arts festivals, performances including puppets are nowadays often referred to as multimedia performances, crossover or visual theatre. A distinct line could be drawn between puppet theatre and other forms of theatre, but bonding with other art forms has diminished this segregation. “puppet theatre” is in many cases perhaps no more an appropriate term as it does not acknowledge the complexity of an art work in which multiple visual elements (live actors, dancers and film) and acoustic elements (music, singing and speech) are applied and this raises questions about genre as a classification system

Introduction

Conclusion