HAMPTON family life
September/October 2004
Minkie and the Gang
Goat on a Boat Puppet Theatre, founded by Liz Joyce, is located in Sag Harbor on East Union Street, just off Route 114. Joyce's wondrous tales come alive with her delightful handmade puppets. She offers performances, play groups and workshops. For more info, call 631.725.4193.
Which puppets do the kids like the most?
Minkie the Monkey. Minkie's got a little theme song. The play group kids are mostly under 3 years old and can hardly talk, but they come in and ask, "Where's the monkey?" Then we have his best friend, Tiggy the Tiger, who delivers the mail. The Great Penguini is a wizard; he's got a magic box and things come out of it. And then there's Crocodile — he's got this big ratchety sound that scares the kids. Sometimes crocodile will throw bananas out and [the children] will bring them back, and afterwards he gives everybody kisses.
Do the kids give you feedback after a show?
When I do a show, if I have a moment where it's completely silent, I know I'm doing all right. To get a roomful of 3-to 6-year-olds to be completely silent is not easy to do. If they don't like something, they'll get antsy. They're really tough critics. But like my mentor said to me, "It's not a show until you do it 20 times," because with kids these ages, they're helping to write the show. I'm a big believer in giving them places to be involved, because otherwise you lose them.
What do they learn from your theater?
It's amazing because these tots come and they learn how to sit and watch theater. They learn how to appreciate the subtleties of watching these events unfold, which is very different from watching television. I find that kids who come on a regular basis develop theater manners, know where the good seats are and know what to expect. That's part of my mission: to introduce families and children to a lifelong love of theater.
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