As I mentioned I am going to branch out into ventriloquism. I have been studying a book on ventriloquism by Kolby King. ("Ventriloquism made easy" available from amazon) and have been spending much of my time saying the alphabet in front of a mirror. I have also been having fun talking to imaginary people on phones and down man-holes and more or less confirming everyone's suspicions that I'm a few cans short of a six pack. If you are a ventriloquist and have any tips to share or can point me in the direction of a good vent site please e-mail me
As far as puppets go I have been loudly announcing to anyone who cares that if they're stuck for a christmas present to get me they could do well visiting Axtell Impressions. Where I have my eye on Pedro the Parrot and Vern. Anyone who has experience of ordering one of Steve Axtell's great looking puppets please e-mail me to share your experience.
At the moment I am practising with a muppet puppet given to me by Warrenpoint Scout Group in return for an impromptu Balloon workshop. He's very nice but I think he's supposed to be a Hot Water Bottle Holder. Here's his pic anyhow:
I'm also trying to design a hands-free puppet that will perch on the end of my Mandolin. I think it could be a really funny act to be trying to sing a song and have a puppet keep interrupting. I think I will make the puppet a crow and will try and make him so his beak is remote controlled and operational via my foot !!?!?!? Anyone who has experience in animatronics I would much appreciate any advise you could share with me.