50 ft Robo Spider Loose in UK

Some unconventional street theatre is being created with a giant animatronic spider in the UK.

Take a look at CNN's report of the incredible 50 ft spider that's currently on the loose in England. Don't worry, there hasn't been an invasion of giant radioactive insects (yet) it's just an elaborate piece of free street theatre that's happening this weekend in Bristol, UK. The "Robo-Spider" requires 12 operators and reportedly cost about $1.8 million to build.

Kind of makes you want your own giant animatronic robot, doesn't it?

07/09/08 Update: I forgot to mention that the people behind this are La Machine (some of the same folks who created The Sultan's Elephant).

Finding Nemo Puppet Musical Video

Puppeteer Lexy Fridell poses with Dory, her puppet alter ego in Finding Nemo: The Musical at Disney World.

If you like puppetry - and once again I ask, what are you doing reading this blog if you don't? - you have got to drop what you're doing and watch this terrific video about the Finding Nemo musical at Disney World, which has been mentioned here on the blog before (see previous post). The video includes some great clips from the show along with interviews with puppeteer Lexy Fridell (Dory), designer Michael Curry (best known for his work on Lion King) and writers Robert Lopez (co-creator of Avenue Q) and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

The show has been completely sold out four times a day since it opened and it looks absolutely stunning, with dozens of giant puppets and puppeteers singing and performing puppets while suspended in mid-air on cables (sometimes upside down!).

Thanks to the always-informative Brian Stokes for the great link!

Inflatable Puppet Commercial

These giant inflatable puppets are featured in a new Australian beer ad.

Toohey's Beer in Australia has a fun ad featuring giant puppets. You can read a little bit more about the ad here.

Links via Spirits Dancing.