Did everyone see that awesome Buzzfeed article about the couple in California who had a puppet wedding? It was absolutely brilliant! And exactly the kind of unique and quirky bookings we would like to be doing here in Australia!
California couple Tammy Caplan and Joe Gold are huge fans of Sesame Street and The Muppets (as are we), so they decided to not only have a puppet as the celebrant, but also a rabbi puppet, a judge puppet, a ring bear (yes, it was a bear – you have to see this!), a ship’s captain, and a crazy monster!
The whole thing was scripted and performed before a congregation of family and friends who had NO IDEA that this is what they were in for! They even had a big sing-along session!
The article can be read here. And the video of the ceremony has to be seen to be believed.
What kind of crazy, outrageous events could YOU imagine having puppets perform at or host? Please let us know, because we’ll DO IT for you! Why should Americans have all the fun when you have Larrikin Puppets right here in Australia! 😀
Author: Brett Hansen
Child Care Centres Love Puppets!
Troggg and friends have had a fantastic year so far making friends with students and teachers at child care centres, schools and vacation care centres.
It started with two fun puppet shows for kids with autism at the AEIOU Early Learning Centre, located on campus at the Sunshine Coast University. In addition to the performance from the puppet stage, the kids got to meet each puppet up close throughout the show too!
Then it was off to the St. Margaret’s Anglican Girls School Advent Centre in Clayfield where the kids were greeted first thing on a Friday morning with a puppet show for two of the students celebrating birthdays.
From there, we did a whirlwind tour of eight Guppy’s Early Learning Centres around South-East Queensland, and had an absolute blast performing for everyone! We started in Caboolture, followed by Runcorn, Chermside West, Deagon, Beerwah, Thornlands, Nerang and Blackbutt.
Then it was off to Ormeau to perform at the PCYC Mother Terasa School Age Care. After the puppet show, the kids made some lovely cards filled with positive feedback.
Coming up, we’re doing another tour of child care centres run by Avenues Early Learning Centre. Starting in Norman Park, we’ll then head to Runcorn Heights, Cannon Hill, Bowen Hills, Shailer Park, Sunnybank Hills, Sunnybank, and then a show at Park Ridge Early Childhood Centre.
If you’re keen to have Larrikin Puppets come to visit your childcare centre, day care centre or kindy, here’s some information on how – Childcare Centre Entertainment Page.
Puppets in Australia
Time and time again, people tell me that what we do here at Larrikin Puppets is something that is rarely seen in Australia. Other performers of puppetry at parties and festivals are definitely out there. But our exposure to puppets certainly isn’t as full on as it used to be in mainstream media, particularly on television. Those old enough to remember our vast history of popular puppets in Australia will remember some of these gems from TV:
1. Mr. Squiggle – A marionette puppet performed by Norman Hetherington for several decades! Kids would send ‘squiggles’ into the show (random lines, dots and shapes) for Mr. Squiggle to complete. Using his pencil nose, he’d join all the lines and shapes together to create a new picture. And it was always upside-down because Norman (a cartoonist also) would be looking at it from above. The human hostess of the show would then turn the picture the right way up to reveal what it is. Other puppets on the show were Blackboard, Rocket, Bill the Steam Shovel (all marionettes), and Gus the Snail (a hand puppet). All puppets were performed by Norman Hetherington.
2. Agro – Performed by Jamie Dunn, Agro won several Logie Awards throughout his nearly thirty year career on Australian television. He appeared on Seven’s Super Saturday, The Super Saturday Show, The Super Sunday Show, Boris’ Breakfast Club, Wombat, The Hi Hello Show, and Agro’s Cartoon Connection. All shows featured game segments, comedy skits, competitions and cartoons. Agro’s humour appealed to both kids and adults.
3. Hey Hey It’s Saturday – Ozzie Ostrich was a primetime favourite for many decades, after initially appearing on Saturday morning kids’ TV. Performed by Ernie Carroll, he was part of a much loved comedy duo with Daryl Somers.
4. The Ferals – Probably as close as we got to The Muppet Show here in Australia. The original series mixed humans with puppets. A newer series called Feral TV had the puppets on their own, trying to run their own TV station. Characters included a rat called Rattus (David Collins), a feral cat called Modigliana (Mal Heap), a rabbit called Mixy (Emma DeVries), and a feral dog called Derryn (Terry Ryan).
5. The New Adventures of Blinky Bill – The outer skin of most of these puppet characters were made of a thick yarn, giving them their wooly, furry appearance. Characters included Blinky Bill, Mrs Magpie, Angelina Wallaby, Walter Wombat, Charlie Goanna, Eric Echidna, Sybilla Snake and Kerry Koala. The series was shot outdoors in an Australian bushland setting. Puppeteers were Ross Browning, Janet Ashelford and Alan Highfield.
6. The Book Place – The Bookworm (performed by puppeteer Michael Scheld) appeared in this series set in a library where adult hosts would read stories and sing songs.
7. The Channel Niners – Cyril the snake and DB Platypus were among the puppets featured in this Saturday morning kids’ show filled with game segments, competitions and cartoons. Cyril was performed by puppeteer David Napier.
8. C’mon Kids – One of the two duck puppets on this show was called Winky Dink. The show featured games, comedy segments and educational entertainment.
9. Young Talent Time – A yellow dog puppet (designed and performed by Martin Pirrie) would often sing and dance along to the songs and skits, and appear at the end of the show when Johnny Young and the cast would sing “All My Loving”.
10. Lift Off – From the faceless, genderless character called EC (who hung out with the kids) to the quirky rubbery puppets in the Wakadoo bar/restaurant, Lift Off was certainly a strange and interesting series.
11. Play Along with Ollie – Ollie is an Australian Muppet monster on Nick Jr. segments, performed by Mal Heap.
12. Sammy J and Randy – A purple humanoid puppet named Randy performed by Heath McIvor as part of the comedy duo “Sammy J and Randy”.
13. Giggle and Hoot – A blue owl puppet named Hoot performed by Nicholas Richard, as part of the kids’ TV series “Giggle and Hoot”.
14. Shirl’s Neighbourhood – Puppeteer Ron Mueck (who later went on to work with Jim Henson on Labyrinth and Fraggle Rock) built and performed the puppet characters in this popular afternoon TV show that aired on Channel Nine between 1979 and 1983. Characters included Ol’ Possum, Claude The Crow, Stanley The Snake, Greenfinger the Garden Gnome, Yippee the Bunyip, Bartholomew the Sheep and several monkeys.
Can you think of any other puppet characters you grew up with on TV or otherwise? What are some other newer puppets you’ve seen lately?
Return of Princess & Pirates stage show for kids!
Since March, we’ve been involved in a little stage show for kids at the Studio Theatre & Cafe (647 Wynnum Rd, Morningside) called “The Super Weekend Show”. At 11am on specified Saturdays, the puppets are joined by costumed characters and a magician for a fun hour of singing, dancing, competitions, jokes, games and prizes. Old fashioned family entertainment! 
Bring the family along for encore performances of our fully scripted “Princess & Pirates” stage show for kids on Saturday June 6 (11am).
– Edit: The May 23 show has been cancelled. June 6 is your last chance to see this production –
Princess Flossy’s stolen treasure has been lost by The Pirate King and his first mate Troggg. With the help of Carol the Kangaroo, they will all search for the treasure in various Brisbane locations like Algestarrrrr, Bulimbarrrr and Cannon Hill.
At each location, a new game is revealed for the kids in the audience to participate in for prizes. Kids are also encouraged to turn up in fancy dress (Princess and Pirate themed). 
Heaps of fun and laughter for all – even the parents! Tickets are $15, and available by calling the theatre on 3399 3333 or book online at www.studiotheatre.com.au. Or you can turn up on the day and pay $15 at the box office.
You can read more about The Super Weekend Show on our page about it: https://test.larrikinpuppets.com.au/the-super-weekend-show/
And at The Studio Theatre & Cafe’s page about it: http://sa2.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=100787676&presenter=AUSTAGEDOOR&venue=&event=
Set sail for a Princess Pirate Treasure Hunt with Troggg & Crew!
Since March, we’ve been involved in a little stage show at the Studio Theatre & Cafe (647 Wynnum Rd, Morningside) called “The Super Weekend Show”. At 11am on specified Saturdays, the puppets are joined by costumed characters and a magician for a fun hour of singing, dancing, competitions, jokes, games and prizes. Old fashioned family entertainment!
This Saturday (May 2, 2015) will be a very special show – A fully scripted play about Princess Flossy’s stolen treasure which has been lost by The Pirate King and his first mate Troggg. With the help of Carol the Kangaroo, they will all search for the treasure in various Brisbane locations like Algestarrrrr, Bulimbarrrr and Cannon Hill. At each location, a new game is revealed for the kids in the audience to participate in for prizes. Kids are also encouraged to turn up in fancy dress (Princess Pirate themed).
Heaps of fun and laughter for all! Tickets are still available by calling the theatre on 3399 3333 or book online at www.studiotheatre.com.au. Or you can turn up on the day and pay $15 at the box office.
You can read more about The Super Weekend Show on our page about it: https://test.larrikinpuppets.com.au/the-super-weekend-show/
And at The Studio Theatre & Cafe’s page about it: http://sa2.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=100787676&presenter=AUSTAGEDOOR&venue=&event=
Troggg hosts Juiced TV | Larrikin Puppets
Troggg was delighted to be able to host an episode of Juiced TV at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital!
Watch as Troggg and his co-star Shania appear throughout the show. Then Pip Russell interviews Brett Hansen at the end about puppetry, and how some of the different puppets work. It’s an action packed show filled with music and wildlife too, such as performances by Tasman Jude and some interesting facts about the bandicoot.
Troggg draws Toy Store Voucher Competition Winner!
The winner of the competition we’ve been running throughout February!
https://test.larrikinpuppets.com.au/gift-card-competition/
2014 – A Big Year for a Puppeteer!
2014 was a huge year for Larrikin Puppets! Just before Christmas, we reviewed the year and posted this wrap-up:
As we wrap up 2014, I’d like to share some Larrikin Puppets highlights from the year.
Along with fellow puppeteer David Logan, I met with veteran marionette puppeteer David Hamilton who briefly had a go operating Troggg while I had a turn with his marionettes.
I also had the honour of meeting with American puppeteers Grant Baciocco and Peggy Etra from The Jim Henson Company after their performance of “Puppet Up!” in Brisbane. I had a great chat with Grant and puppeteered with some of their Muppets backstage.
I performed some interesting puppet gigs this year – There was a formal duel 21st birthday masquerade ball, a 60th birthday party, two shows in restaurants, two shows in public parks, several shows at child care centres and schools (including one with sign language interpreters at the Yeerongpilly Deaf School), my second performance at the Royal Children’s Hospital, a wonderful school holiday event at the Tewantin-Noosa RSL, some roving puppetry at three charity events and a coffee brand launch, performances at the 2014 Brisbane Zombie Walk Carnival, and the West End Festival, a pre-show puppet performance at a screening of 1979’s “The Muppet Movie”, as well as my first business flight – for some bookings in Injune, South West QLD (an hour’s drive from Roma). 
This year, we saw the release of two short film projects that I helped with in 2013: “Cluck – The Web Series” and “Heart of a Thousand Souls”. HOATS featured a couple of
scenes starring Troggg, and so he was asked to host the premiere screening.
With a cast of very clever improvisational theatre actors from ImproMafia and Edge Improv, we crowd-funded, rehearsed and performed seven technically complex, and well-attended performances of “Thank Troggg You’re Here: A Puppet Impro
Spectacular!” (the first four as part of the 2014 Anywhere Theatre Festival). 
Also in theatre, I ran puppetry workshops for a new 2014 Brisbane cast of Tony Award winning puppet musical, “Avenue Q” (having previously been a cast member and ‘puppetry consultant’ in the 2012 production). It was great to later attend the Off-Broadway production at New World Stages in New York City, and meet with Jason Jacoby – the current puppeteer behind Nicky and Trekkie Monster. 
The New York trip also included designing two new puppets – Lexington and Pleasant – at The Muppet Whatnot Workshop (in toy store FAO Schwartz), and visiting the “Somebody Come And Play” exhibit at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, where several Muppets from Sesame Street were on display. We also got to see Kaufman Astoria Studios, where Sesame Street is filmed.
Other new additions to the Larrikin Puppets cast this year included a singing cheesecake, Flossy the pink monster, three frogs, a yellow bird, a pig, Grandma, Ostrich, Ratbag, and a big green monster named Moss.
Larrikin Puppets received some great media attention this year too – A 4zZz radio interview with Andrew Bartlett, newspaper articles in the South East Advertiser, My Sunshine Coast, YLM: Your Local Mag, and we even made the front cover of MX Newspaper! 
Overall, it was a busy and spectacular year for this small Brisbane-based arts business, specialising in the underrated art of puppetry.
Merry Christmas!
Brett Hansen
Puppeteer – Larrikin Puppets
Top 21 Ways to be Happy
Ultimately, everyone in the world aspires to be happy, rather than depressed and miserable. Instead of letting sadness overtake their lives, these are things that happy people make a habit of doing regularly, even during times of grief and sorrow:
1. Appreciate Life
Be thankful that you woke up alive each morning. Develop a childlike sense of wonder towards life. Focus on the beauty of every living thing. Make the most of each day. Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
2. Choose Friends Wisely
Surround yourself with happy, positive people who share your values and goals. Friends that have the same ethics as you will encourage you to achieve your dreams. They help you to feel good about yourself. They are there to lend a helping hand when needed.
3. Be Considerate
Accept others for who they are as well as where they are in life. Respect them for who they are. Touch them with a kind and generous spirit. Help when you are able, without trying to change the other person. Try to brighten the day of everyone you come into contact with.
4. Learn Continuously
Keep up to date with the latest news regarding your career and hobbies. Try new and daring things that has sparked your interest – such as dancing, skiing, surfing or sky-diving.
5. Creative Problem Solving
Don’t wallow in self-pity. As soon as you face a challenge get busy finding a solution. Don’t let the set backs affect your mood, instead see each new obstacle you face as an opportunity to make a positive change. Learn to trust your gut instincts – it’s almost always right.
6. Do What They Love
Some statistics show that 80% of people dislike their jobs! No wonder there’s so many unhappy people running around. We spend a great deal of our life working. Choose a career that you enjoy – the extra money of a job you detest isn’t worth it. Make time to enjoy your hobbies and pursue special interests.
7. Enjoy Life
Take the time to see the beauty around you. There’s more to life than work. Take time to smell the roses, watch a sunset or sunrise with a loved one, take a walk along the seashore, hike in the woods etc. Learn to live in the present moment and cherish it. Don’t live in the past or the future.
8. Laugh
Don’t take yourself – or life to seriously. You can find humor in just about any situation. Laugh at yourself – no one’s perfect. When appropriate laugh and make light of the circumstances. (Naturally there are times that you should be serious as it would be improper to laugh.)
9. Forgive
Holding a grudge will hurt no one but you. Forgive others for your own peace of mind. When you make a mistake – own up to it – learn from it – and FORGIVE yourself.
10. Gratitude
Develop an attitude of gratitude. Count your blessings; All of them – even the things that seem trivial. Be grateful for your home, your work and most importantly your family and friends. Take the time to tell them that you are happy they are in your life.
11. Invest in Relationships
Always make sure your loved ones know you love them even in times of conflict. Nurture and grow your relationships with your family and friends by making the time to spend with them. Don’t break your promises to them. Be supportive.
12. Keep Their Word
Honesty is the best policy. Every action and decision you make should be based on honesty. Be honest with yourself and with your loved ones.
13. Meditate
Meditation gives your very active brain a rest. When it’s rested you will have more energy and function at a higher level. Types of meditation include yoga, hypnosis, relaxation tapes, affirmations, visualization or just sitting in complete silence. Find something you enjoy and make the time to practice daily.
14. Mind Their Own Business
Concentrate on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don’t get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don’t get caught up with gossip or name calling. Don’t judge. Everyone has a right to live their own life the way they want to – including you.
15. Optimism
See the glass as half full. Find the positive side of any given situation. It’s there – even though it may be hard to find. Know that everything happens for a reason, even though you may never know what the reason is. Steer clear of negative thoughts. If a negative thought creeps in – replace it with a positive thought.
16. Love Unconditionally
Accept others for who they are. You don’t put limitations on your love. Even though you may not always like the actions of your loved ones – you continue to love them.
17. Persistence
Never give up. Face each new challenge with the attitude that it will bring you one step closer to your goal. You will never fail, as long as you never give up. Focus on what you want, learn the required skills, make a plan to succeed and take action. We are always happiest while pursuing something of value to us.
18. Be Proactive
Accept what can not be changed. Happy people don’t waste energy on circumstances beyond their control. Accept your limitations as a human being. Determine how you can take control by creating the outcome you desire – rather than waiting to respond.
19. Self Care
Take care of your mind, body and health. Get regular medical check ups. Eat healthy and work out. Get plenty of rest. Drink lots of water. Exercise your mind by continually energizing it with interesting and exciting challenges.
20. Self Confidence
Don’t try to be someone that you’re not. After all no one likes a phony. Determine who you are in the inside – your own personal likes and dislikes. Be confident in who you are. Do the best you can and don’t second guess yourself.
21. Take Responsibility
Happy people know and understand that they are 100% responsible for their life. They take responsibility for their moods, attitude, thoughts, feelings, actions and words. They are the first to admit when they’ve made a mistake.
Begin today by taking responsibility for your happiness. Work on developing these habits as you own. The more you incorporate the above habits into your daily lifestyle – the happier you will be.
Most of all: BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.
Originally posted by: http://www.globalone.tv/
