BEHIND every puppet is
a great actor. And behind them is someone like Nigel Plaskitt.
Nigel is a puppeteer
and coach, something he has been doing most of his adult life after
starting out as an actor.
During his long career
he has worked on his fair share of exciting projects, most notably TV
shows such as Spitting Image, films such as The Muppet Christmas
Carol and the stage musical of Doctor Dolittle.
His current project is
one he has been involved with for about 10 years, that of the hit
stage show Avenue Q.
A smash hit on Broadway
and in the West End this multi award-winning comedy musical is
currently on a UK tour and coming to the New Wimbledon Theatre for a
week from Monday March 14.
The show features a
host of puppets brought to life by an ensemble cast of 11 performers
– all of whom have been trained by Nigel.
"It’s a great
show, very funny but definitely not for children,” he laughs. "It’s
an adult take on Sesame Street, featuring characters who might have
been in that show, and what happens to them when they grow up and
leave home to go to university.
"During the show
they find themselves in situations that most people can identify with
at some point in their lives. It’s funny, rude and a lot of fun to
be involved in.”
The story is about a
group of characters who inhabit a New York neighbourhood of Avenue Q.
Amongst them is Brian and his fiancée Christmas Eve, Nicky and his
closet gay Republican roommate Rod, Trekkie Monster and the cute
kindergarten teacher Kate Monster. Into their world comes Princeton,
a bright eyed graduate with big dreams and a tiny bank account and it
his arrival that heralds adventure and fun.
To make the characters
come alive, the puppeteers have to act, sing, do all the voices and
learn how to move the puppets so that the audience looks at the
puppets rather than the actors.
It has been Nigel's job
for the past 10 years to train all those involved. But if you think
it looks easy he says you should think again.
"It’s actually
extremely difficult and not everyone can do it,” he says. "The
actors make it look easy but it takes a lot of practice and
co-ordination.
"There is a huge
amount to think about and that’s where I come in by teaching them
how to use the puppets.”
He says the puppets
themselves are not heavy and indeed are made to be really light as
they have to be easy to move around. But he says for the actors it’s
learning how to move in a totally new and unnatural way that is the
tricky bit.
"It’s just off
being comfortable," he explains. "I always tell them that
if they feel comfortable they are doing it wrong.
"They have to get
the puppet's faces and expressions right, learn how to lip sync
correctly and make sure their hands are in the right position.
"They also have to
learn their lines, the songs and move in the right way so there is a
huge amount of stuff to take on board.
"I get involved in
the casting process of the show, lead workshops and stay with them
all throughout the rehearsal process, keeping an eye on them and then
I see the show every three to four weeks.
"Half way through
the rehearsal process you can see real panic set in,” he chuckles.
"However it begins to feel more like second nature fairly
quickly and they master it totally and then it becomes great fun."
So what made Nigel
become a puppeteer I ask.
"I wanted to be an
actor so that’s how I started out,” he says. “I didn’t get
any careers advice on being a puppeteer when I was at school!
However, pretty early on in my career I was approached to do a voice
for a children’s TV show called Pipkins which ran from 1973 to
1981. When I auditioned they asked me to do the puppets, so I learned
the craft on the job and by trial and error as I had no formal
training.”
From there Nigel went
on to star in Spitting Image and worked for Jim Henson Productions
plus numerous TV shows, films and adverts including the PG Tips
Monkey.
“I have been very
lucky and realised I filled a niche that not many people were filling
and I could do it and do it well,” he says.
“It’s a great
business to be in and I love it. Spitting Image was amazing because
it’s like an historical document and was really exciting to work
on. There were a couple of moments when we thought we might get sued
but we didn’t!
“The PG Tips Monkey
is a great character to play too. My career has been full of
highlights!” he adds warmly.
He got the Avenue Q job
through a recommendation after having worked for Jim Henson
Productions, creator of the Muppets and Sesame Street. That was 10
years ago and he’s still loving being part of the show.
"I still get a
kick out of it,” he says. “I have seen it about 200 times now and
still love being in the audience and seeing their reactions.
“Nothing beats a live
audience and the experience of being in a theatre and that’s why
Avenue Q works so well.
"It’s magical to
see puppets on stage and I think their resurgence on the stage in
shows such as War Horse, The Lion King and more latterly The Lorax is
testament to that magical moment where you use your imagination and
suspend belief.
"It’s an amazing
thing - even though you know the actor is there you almost forget.
"The cast coming
to Wimbledon are top rate and really great performers and just seem
to be getting better and better."
Avenue Q is on at the
New Wimbledon Theatre, Broadway, between Monday March 14 and
Saturday, March 19. Tickets from £15. Visit
http://www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon or call the box office on 0844
871 7646.
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