BUGZ 

My brief was to create a custom set of characters that would appeal to a pre-school demographic promoting friendship values in an entertaining package. I developed a concept incorporating simplistic, every day bugs; Barney the Bee, Cleo the Caterpillar, Dotty the Ladybird and a Spanish speaking Ant called Antonio for the Spanish and English-speaking guests.

To ensure the characters were approachable to the tiny audiences, I designed four small puppets, one in a hand-glove design and the others with rod disciplines. These were operated by the resident cast who were given distinct personalities, voices and character arcs. To support the main stage performances, animated screens were introduced along with original songs and storylines. The puppets were manufactured and distributed worldwide and I facilitated the training procedures to ensure performers knew how to properly handle their puppets and portray their characteristics both in dialogue and in song.

Concept Origination Nat Dawson (for TEDUK)

Concept Re-development Nat Dawson (for TAGLive)