During the '70s, the DaSilva Puppet Company were regular visitors to Sunderland Empire and Darlington Civic Theatre (which has now, of course, reverted to its original name, Darlington Hippodrome).
The company was then run by the founders of Norwich Puppet Theatre, Ray and Joan DaSilva, and now their son, Nik Palmer, is bringing a new DaSilva puppet show, The DaSilva Marionette Circus Troupe, to Arts Centre Washington on Saturday 8 September at 11:00 and 2:00.
Palmer works with fellow puppeteer Sarah Rowland-Barker but the marionettes are all the original puppets and are more than 50 years old.
“My parents started building them just before I was born,” Palmer said, “and they must have toured the show for a good 40 years.
“They are all the original puppets although they have had a few costume refurbishments—my mum still refurbishes the puppets’ costumes.
“There’s about 18 puppets in the show and they are all trick marionettes.”
Trick marionettes are puppets which can perform tricks—a juggler, a skeleton who can take his head off and throw it into the air, a dwarf who changes into a giant—so, although they are string operated like the 'forties amd 'fifties favourite Muffin the Mule, they can do so much more.
Indeed, all the circus performers—the ringmaster, lion, acrobats and other puppets that form the cast—are all the originals.
“We have changed a few bits from when my parents did the show,” Palmer added.
“They did it very straight and were dressed in black whereas we are dressed in costumes and are very much part of the performance.
“It is one of our most popular shows now and I really love doing it—it is good old-fashioned entertainment suitable for all ages, young and old.
“It is especially popular with this year being the Circus250 celebrations.”
Tickets for the show are £7, with a family ticket admitting four costing £25 and are available in person at the box office, by phone on 0191 561 3455 or from the Arts Centre Washington web site.