What's Included?
Our rental package includes all four 'pods' and accessories needed in the production, plus a few extra props. We do not rent out sets or set pieces.
Pod 3 measures roughly four feet long by three feet high and three feet wide. The puppeteers upper body sits within pod three and by using their entire body they can give Audrey as much life and movement as possible. By using arms, hands, and legs to move with the music and dialogue, you can create quite a stunning performance.
This pod has a double articulated jaw which is controlled by a lever within the lower portion of the pod. When the lever is pulled, the lip opens, and when the lever is released, the lip retracts. A combination of manipulating the lip and opening and closing the jaw with the handle in the top of the pod can create highly realistic speech patterns. The puppeteer has access to the mouth so that when Seymour feeds Audrey II various body parts, they can actually be pulled through the back of the mouth. The fabric that covers the inside of the mouth is fairly translucent, allowing the puppeteer to be able to view her/his surroundings while speaking. The puppeteer sits on a bucket seat which is mounted to the bottom of the pot. There is also a pair of ‘shrubbery pants’ that can be worn making the legs of the operator look like a trunk or root system. |
Pod 4 is where the magic truly happens! The first unique aspect of this pod system is it's pivot support system. The pivot point at the top of the plant allows the plant to swing and move about freely. The pod can be manipulated so that it can 'look' side to side and up and down. The head itself can also move forward and backward. It has an incredible range of motion, restricted only by the strength of the puppeteer and the fabric that is attached to the back of the pod.
Similar to pod 3, the mouth of the puppet has a double articulated jaw so that the lip is able to move up and down. The lip movement is controlled by a handle in the lower jaw. By pulling on the handle it opens the lip and when released it closes. With practice a puppeteer can create realistic speech patterns by synchronizing the opening and closing of the entire mouth with the movements of the lip.
Similar to pod 3, the mouth of the puppet has a double articulated jaw so that the lip is able to move up and down. The lip movement is controlled by a handle in the lower jaw. By pulling on the handle it opens the lip and when released it closes. With practice a puppeteer can create realistic speech patterns by synchronizing the opening and closing of the entire mouth with the movements of the lip.
Another trick that sets this rental apart from any other is the method in which our Audrey II can eat it's prey! The entire pod and operator are set up on a truss system that can be lifted a whopping 10 feet in the air! There is a tongue-like diving board mounted on this truss that the actor lays on as it they are eaten. The tongue is pulled back with the actor kicking and screaming and they disappear into the mouth. Muahaha!!! As Audrey chews up its prey, the actor slides back on the truss as it lifts the puppet into the air. The actor slides off the truss backstage, the truss is lowered, and the show continues. We have found that if timed well, the scoring works quite nicely with each eating sequence.
The entire operation requires one puppeteer to operate the head of the puppet in act II, as well as three to six crew members backstage when eating. (These can usually be actors that are offstage when Audrey feeds.)
It is also important to keep in mind your space requirements when using the truss. The truss sticks out the back wall of your set about 5.5 feet and extends in front of the back wall of the shop about 4 feet, not including the pod. The rental is also available without the truss system for theatres with size and space limitations. The puppet is still able to eat people in the smaller setup, but the pod and actor cannot be lifted into the air as with the truss configuration.
The entire operation requires one puppeteer to operate the head of the puppet in act II, as well as three to six crew members backstage when eating. (These can usually be actors that are offstage when Audrey feeds.)
It is also important to keep in mind your space requirements when using the truss. The truss sticks out the back wall of your set about 5.5 feet and extends in front of the back wall of the shop about 4 feet, not including the pod. The rental is also available without the truss system for theatres with size and space limitations. The puppet is still able to eat people in the smaller setup, but the pod and actor cannot be lifted into the air as with the truss configuration.
Shipping:
BB&G Productions does offer a delivery service within 600 miles of Madison, WI which includes a free set up/ take down and training workshop with your puppeteers. If you are further away and still interested in delivery, sometimes accommodations can be made, so let us know! Renters are also welcome to pick up the puppets from Juneau, WI where they are stored, or we can make arrangements to deliver halfway. They require a covered trailer or van at least 6' x 10'5" to haul.
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Rental Length:
Our typical rental begins two weeks before your first performance and includes two performance weekends. Rental period extensions depend on availability, but are usually workable. The length of each rental varies so if there is a preference please specify that in your rental request. Please keep in mind the amount of rehearsal time you have budgeted for working with the puppets. Pod 4, in particular, requires some time to rehearse in order to achieve a safe and effective performance.
Price:
Our rental price is determined on a royalty basis, similar to getting royalties for a show. This allows everyone to be able to enjoy our rental at an affordable rate. To secure Audrey II, a Rental Request form must first be submitted. It will be returned with a quote for the rental and, provided they are available, a rental contract. The rental contract can be returned to BB&G with a $500 security deposit to secure the rental. Checks can be made out to BB&G Productions.