A Man And His Puppets

Be prepared for surprises if you call at No. 3, Karamu Street, Gisborne.

You might meet a temperamental violinist, a clown who rides on a cat's back, or a Hindu snake-charmer.

They are products of the imagination of Mr Gordon Forrester, Gisborne businessman, who has been making and manipulating puppets since he was a boy*

Now he is handing on his knowledge to his 8-year-old son, Graham.

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"Sambo" introduces "Bernie", the clown

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"Bernie" enjoys riding on cat's back. Cat is not so enthusiastic.

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Gordon and Graham...... .... "pulling the strings"

"Bernie" the clown, Gordon's first puppet, was made from clothes pegs. Now he whittles them from wood and joins the limbs so that they move in the same way as human arms and legs. The faces are fashioned from papier mache.

Thus Gordon is manufacturer, stage manager and producer of this amazing little show. The puppets themselves, of course, don't agree that it's a one-man show. Under Gordon's deft manipulation they have a personality all their own.

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"Ba Ba", the Rugby fan, prepares himself for excitement of game

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"Heck! Those Springboks are nearly over...."

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"Phew! That was a close call...."

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"Have to steady my nerves again..."

Gordon's younger children, Lesley, aged four, and two-year-old Ross, find it hard sometimes to realise that the puppets are not real people.

And when there are any arguments about going to bed, one word from "Sambo" soon settles it.

Professor G-String (below) is a star turn. The movement of his bow is strikingly realistic when synchronised with a recording.

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A goodnight kiss for Lesley

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Snake wiggles to charmer's chant

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Professor G-String bows to applause

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"Flight of the Bumble-bee" is no trouble to him

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The show's over, but the professor plays on