Hand Puppets

Hi everyone,

I'd like some advice about Hand Puppets from those that have used them in stage productions before.

I'm thinking about having a dog hand puppet as a character in our next play - it's a talking dog, by the way (Gaspode in Terry Pratchett's "The Truth", if you're interested) but having had no experience with puppets I'm not sure it's the best way to go.

I've done some web-searches to see if a dog puppet was available for purchase, and the only possibly suitable one I could find was the Folkmani's "Scruffy Dog", available in Australia via Elizabeth Richards
( www.elizabethrichards.com.au )

Does anyone know if these puppets are good for stage work, especially as an expressive, *talking* character? Is there anywhere else that you think I should look to find a puppet to buy? (Stores in Adelaide preferred, because I really don't want to buy a puppet sight unseen)

Any advice that experienced people can give me?

Or should I just not bother and put a person in a dog suit instead?

Thanks in advance,

Seeya. Danny.
Unseen Theatre Company
http://www.unseen.com.au

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