THE OWL WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS | Curve Theatre
Set, Costume and Puppetry Designer: Abby Clarke | Puppet maker: Ruby Gibbens
Director : Cara Nolan | Based on the book of the same name by: John Hay and Garry Parson‘s
In this production, Ruby Gibbens brought Abby Clarke's designs to life through the creation of three puppets: Rosie the Owl (main character), Rosie the Owl (flying version), and the family's pet dog. The primary Rosie puppet featured a mechanism that allowed for blinking and a beak movement, both operable through a two-trigger handle positioned behind the head. Additionally, the puppet showcased intricately hand-felted wings that could be folded in and magnetically secured in a closed wing position.
The design objective was to ensure a highly tactile finish for Rosie, as the puppet needed to perform on stage and engage in meet-and-greet interactions. To achieve this, Ruby Gibbens employed hand felting techniques, embroidery, and appliqué to create the owl's feathers. Rosie was crafted to be lightweight yet durable, with a hidden opening at the back of the head to facilitate any future maintenance requirements.
