The powerful life of a puppet

Nowadays, Chester Missing is the guy we turn to to get our jollies when politicians make funnies, thanks to Conrad Koch’s creation that has evolved into the nation’s political commentator.

And the mere mortals, as well as politicians squished into benches in parliament, love him. He is a puppet, yes, but a person also. And he is treated as such.

Back in the heyday of the SABC shows, Haas Das se Nuuskas and later shows like Mina Moo, Pumpkin Patch and Wielie Wallie, were all filled with puppets which captured the imagination of an entire generation. These days Takalani Sesame does the same. It seems as if puppets are deeply engrained in our national identity. And with War Horse set for its South African stage debut in October, Chester might have a bit of competition after the fanfare at the first media introduction to Joey, the titular star of War Horse.

Cameras were clicking as the animal galloped into The Teatro at Montecasino on 5 August.

The excitement, however, comes from the fact that you seldom get to see a live horse in the theatre, because, one thing to remember when meeting Joey, the fourth wall is never broken. And what seems like a puppet with three puppeteers, quickly transcends into theatrics – and becomes a horse.

Joey responds to being rubbed; he flicks his main, and twitches his ears when he hears something. His puppeteers are so honed in on the animal that they are able to bring it to life in a way that leaves one awestruck. So alive, that the animal even travels in a horse trailer.

But Joey’s journey to South Africa has been a long one.

Designed and crafted by Cape Town-based husband team Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones in 2006, their horse sparked rave reviews and made War Horse a stage sensation internationally. But it took seven years, and of course Pieter Toerien, to bring Joey back to his country of birth where he can finally be enjoyed by his countrymen. And so it should be, because South Africa loves puppets, especially when they suspend our belief.