Michael's Automata (not exactly puppets, but seem to be related!)

Some years ago, on one of our puppet tours to London, Valerie, Benjie and I stumbled upon the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre museum at Covent Garden (a link to their on-line museum with pictures and animations) and fell in love with the whimsical, mechanical machines. Since then we have made them, sought them out, taught classes to children on making them and basically had lots of fun with them. Now I am going to try to share a bit about some of my little machines with the world at large via the internet.

Lunch Break

What's going on? You turn the crank and the cat (Bucky) tries to steal Andy's lunch. This was made for my brother in law, who is a carpenter who always seems to be working for rich clients who have fabulous views of the Golden Gate Bridge, so the wall behind him is wallpapered in $20.00 bills, and the view out the window is fantastic. His cat (who does not go to work with him) has the reputation of stealing food off the counter very rapidly (and large hunks, as well!) The wall that conceals Bucky says "Bucky's Fort, Keep Out" (only with cat spelling.)

Watch the video of Lunch Break from front CLICK HERE

Watch the video of Lunch Break from the back CLICK HERE

Watch the video of Lunch Break, close up of mechanism CLICK HERE

Red Herring

What's going on? Last summer when I visited my brother Steve he had bought a used motor for his fishing boat and wanted to take me out, but during the whole visit was not able to get the motor to work. This little machine commemorates the event. When the crank on the side is turned, the figure pulls the starter rope 3 times then rests. Meanwhile, fish are swimming under the water and jumping out in front of the boat. A seagull is stealing his sandwich off of his cooler, and his fishing hook is caught on the handle of a treasure chest full of gold that a crab has almost severed with its claw.

Watch the video CLICK HERE

To go to Magical Moonshine Theatre home page CLICK HERE