I was thrilled to be given this following YouTube link to a story on the play War Horse, based on the book, and its amazing puppetry-horses. I can't wait for it to come to New York. Anyone want to help produce it there?
This reflects the power and grace and beauty of our film Russian Warmblood, which is also set near the first World War. Click here to read the Russian Warmblood treatment.
On a peculiar and oddly related side note, I forgot to ever mention the over-sized animatronic horse carrying the headless horseman (left) that I built a few years ago for Halloween. (This picture is from the local news coverage.)
He is complete with red glowing eyes and nostrils that spewed steam and a head that pivoted toward the little kids...inducing them to pee their princess and batman costume. I built the horse all from wood, so it was very heavy... and covered in wire mesh, burlap and felt. The horseman is PVC, dressed, on a motorized pivot in the horse's belly. And he was wielding one of my authentic antique swords...I didn't leave it in his hand much! It was quite the project. Not nearly as cool as the puppets for War Horse above, but...thought I'd share.
At Christmas he was still in the front yard, so I made him some 'nice' eyes, and then I built a full sleigh for him to 'pull'....thank goodness the song has the line, 'in a one horse open sleigh'...I sure didn't want to build another one.
After a couple of years, I donated him, and the horseman and the sleigh to a private housing development for their Halloween and Christmas events. I hope he's doing well. Ride on!