Drew Colby is Britain’s only professional puppeteer and although still a young man he can boast of a career stretching back some 27 years, but then he produced his first performance when only twelve years of age.
And ever since he has entranced audiences all over the world and now he comes back to Dulwich Picture Gallery for his annual sell-out show. This time, though, he has added a workshop for older children in the afternoon, where they will be given a chance to make their own puppets and then, in groups, put on their own puppet show, - maybe with a little help from Drew.
In the morning Drew will perform his new show called Gingerbread Man, an enchanting story for all ages. It is remarkable what he can conjure up with just a few props, clever lighting and his remarkable hands. Shadow puppets is the oldest form of puppetry and Drew is considered one of the best worldwide. He travels around the world to show his plays and his company Fingers and Thumb Theatre has quite a following, so his appearance at the Gallery is quite a coup.
“I love coming to Dulwich Picture Gallery,“ says Drew Colby. “I admire Soane’s architecture, the Gallery gardens and the fact that you have Dulwich Park just opposite, I just cannot think of a better place for a family day out.” He is far too modest to add that his show and workshop make it an even better family outing.
What makes his shows so special is the way he encourages audience participation and the children love the music, some of it recorded but most of it played by Drew and his assistant, which accompanies the adventures on the screen. I have seen several of his show and although I know it is a trick of light and shadows I still felt so engrossed in the stories Drew tells and the younger in the audience all want to cuddle his shadow bears.
How he does it I cannot fathom. Somehow Drew manages to show the emotions of his shadow puppets, very clever indeed. It is really an art form and it is viewed as such in many other countries. “In France and Spain they take puppetry much more seriously and in Russia there is even proper state funding for puppet theatres,” Drew explains.
When asked what drew him to puppetry in the first place, he smiles and says,” I have always been fascinated by story-telling and also by miniatures, - and maybe I just want to be in charge.” He usually works with an assistant and admits it is not an easy art form. “It takes years to learn and a lot of patience.” It also takes very agile and flexible fingers and looking at Drew’s elongated, elegant hands it is easy to see why not everyone can be a master puppeteer.
But why not have a go? The workshop gives everyone a chance to just try and with a master to help children might just find, like Drew did aged twelve, that this is not just for fun.
These two events are organised by Friends of Dulwich Picture Gallery:
Gingerbread Man /Shadow Tails Puppet Show
Sunday 8 June 10.15am for 10.30am, finishes at 11.35am
Suitable for children up to 11 years
Fruit for children in the interval
£5 per person
Puppet making and Performing Workshop
Sunday 8 June 1.30 -3.00 pm
Suitable for older children
Fruit for children at the end
£5 per person
Tickets:
Online at dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Telephone 020 8299 8750
Or from Friends Desk in the Gallery
Or at the door on the day – cash only.
