I was a toddler when I was first taken here in what must have been the mid-late 1980s and I'd always loved it. There was a time (mid 1990s) when I wanted to make automata for this place in the future, not knowing then it would all be removed in about 2000; very sad. I'd love to see a new Cabaret Mechanical Theatre open somewhere in London someday; I admit it's just a dream right now. I've been working quite extensively with puppets in the last few years, inspired by various people, but there's definitely been a lot of influence from the automata I used to see and love so much here when it comes to their moving parts....
It’s funny, I used to go quite regularly and always thought it would be there. I was surprised to go one day and find it gone - a bit like The Museum of Mankind, which was another place I would find inspiring. They have touring exhibitions now and I was lucky to find one at Rye Harbour recently - but not the same as that original, brilliant location in Covent Garden. What puppet projects are you/ have you worked on?
@@gileswhiteheadartist I know what you mean in that it felt like the place would always be there. I remember the Museum of Mankind, too; even though my parents were more interested in the place than I was, coincidentally I remember seeing a couple of exhibits there that I thought would be good if reproduced as automata! Re puppet projects, I'm in rehearsals at the time of writing for open-air shows at 2 local festivals,1 is about bees' importance to the ecosystem with giant felt flowers and the other is an animal parody of Dr. Who and films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I have 2 filmed shows in post-production editing: One Planet Future, based on a school musical written for World Wildlife Fund (with permission from the author to adapt her works for the public audience) and Duck Whittington, an animal spin on the popular pantomime and a fundraiser for the Whittington Hospital in North London.
I think it was when Woolworths closed that sense of instability really hit home. Sadly, we’ve got used to this in recent decades. Where are your festivals taking place? And will the films be on RUclips. I saw a brilliant shadow puppet video on RUclips called Little Dragon Twice. Have you see that one?
@@gileswhiteheadartist I've just looked up Little Dragon Twice and I'm impressed with it; I love the effects of wind and rain in it and the way the characters exchange the present with the hooks. The emotion shown is very powerful.
Such an awesome trip down memory lane, remember the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre dearly from my childhood. Surprised by how many of the automata I remember! Thank you for uploading :)
So glad it brought back happy memories. There are so many unforgettable automata! I loved the sound of that pianola. And I think the doctor is still writing prescriptions on Southwold Pier.
thank you so much for uploading. I remember watching the Spaghetti Man when there was a bombscare and we all had to evacuate the building. My little daughter got left behind in the ensuing panic (false alarm thank goodness!)
Glad you enjoyed it Jill. Yes, that does sound like a scary moment. I did have another recording of the automatic piano, but not yet managed to place it. Such a happy sound!
Ditto to all comments below. The ideas for these are brilliant on their own but to actually construct them so they work is so far beyond my scope it makes me think there’s a hole in my brain. There are giants among us. And I think I saw a little soft porn automaton in another video on this channel. A little subliminal French postcard fitting to the times.
I absolutely loved this place as a child when I lived in the UK. It was such a fun place to visit.
I went here a few times when I lived in London. I LOVED this place!!!!!!!!!!
It was great wasn't it! It's moved to Hastings now. Not had a chance to go to their new home yet.
@@gileswhiteheadartist Thanks Giles.I know Barbara. She was part of the London Animation crowd in those days.
I saw this exhibition and NEVER forgot the shaking Anubis. Thank you so much for this precious document.
Im in the states...this is absolutey the most magical thing ive ever seen. ❤
@@aalihte3378 so glad you enjoyed this. It was a special place 😊👍
I was a toddler when I was first taken here in what must have been the mid-late 1980s and I'd always loved it. There was a time (mid 1990s) when I wanted to make automata for this place in the future, not knowing then it would all be removed in about 2000; very sad. I'd love to see a new Cabaret Mechanical Theatre open somewhere in London someday; I admit it's just a dream right now.
I've been working quite extensively with puppets in the last few years, inspired by various people, but there's definitely been a lot of influence from the automata I used to see and love so much here when it comes to their moving parts....
It’s funny, I used to go quite regularly and always thought it would be there. I was surprised to go one day and find it gone - a bit like The Museum of Mankind, which was another place I would find inspiring. They have touring exhibitions now and I was lucky to find one at Rye Harbour recently - but not the same as that original, brilliant location in Covent Garden. What puppet projects are you/ have you worked on?
@@gileswhiteheadartist I know what you mean in that it felt like the place would always be there. I remember the Museum of Mankind, too; even though my parents were more interested in the place than I was, coincidentally I remember seeing a couple of exhibits there that I thought would be good if reproduced as automata!
Re puppet projects, I'm in rehearsals at the time of writing for open-air shows at 2 local festivals,1 is about bees' importance to the ecosystem with giant felt flowers and the other is an animal parody of Dr. Who and films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I have 2 filmed shows in post-production editing: One Planet Future, based on a school musical written for World Wildlife Fund (with permission from the author to adapt her works for the public audience) and Duck Whittington, an animal spin on the popular pantomime and a fundraiser for the Whittington Hospital in North London.
I think it was when Woolworths closed that sense of instability really hit home. Sadly, we’ve got used to this in recent decades. Where are your festivals taking place? And will the films be on RUclips. I saw a brilliant shadow puppet video on RUclips called Little Dragon Twice. Have you see that one?
@@gileswhiteheadartist I've just looked up Little Dragon Twice and I'm impressed with it; I love the effects of wind and rain in it and the way the characters exchange the present with the hooks. The emotion shown is very powerful.
Thank you for sharing this I really enjoyed seeing these great machines
🙂👍🏻
Up until a moment ago I had never seen this but I’m glad I did now. Very cool!
So glad you enjoyed it. It was such a brilliant place to visit.
Tim Hunkin, what a genius!
The doctor was more animated than my own practitioner.
Such an awesome trip down memory lane, remember the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre dearly from my childhood. Surprised by how many of the automata I remember! Thank you for uploading :)
So glad it brought back happy memories. There are so many unforgettable automata! I loved the sound of that pianola. And I think the doctor is still writing prescriptions on Southwold Pier.
thank you so much for uploading. I remember watching the Spaghetti Man when there was a bombscare and we all had to evacuate the building. My little daughter got left behind in the ensuing panic (false alarm thank goodness!)
Glad you enjoyed it Jill. Yes, that does sound like a scary moment. I did have another recording of the automatic piano, but not yet managed to place it. Such a happy sound!
Just magical ✨️.
So cool!!!!!!
Ditto to all comments below. The ideas for these are brilliant on their own but to actually construct them so they work is so far beyond my scope it makes me think there’s a hole in my brain. There are giants among us. And I think I saw a little soft porn automaton in another video on this channel. A little subliminal French postcard fitting to the times.
So true. The creative ingenuity and craftsmanship is incredible.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very cool and charming to watch. 🤩😍
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it 😊