G.I. John
Cardiff: Now and Then - RWCMD 2022
G.I. John - Cardiff: Now and Then
Telling stories of war brides in Cardiff, this bunraku puppet represents the story of Margaret, a woman from Cardiff, and John, an American G.I. They fell in love and married despite opposition from their families and got married in 1950s Cardiff. After John was sent back to the US without Margaret, his father discouraged him from bringing her and their son over due to concerns about their interracial marriage and the legal and social challenges they might face in the US. Despite this, Margaret made her way to the US with her baby, overcoming obstacles to reunite with John. They had a loving, albeit challenging, life together, raising four children. John passed away in 2013, and Margaret still cherishes her life with him.
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Using driftwood collected from Cardiff Bay, I created John to represent the stories of the many war brides from Cardiff. The legs are composed of driftwood, using leather as the joints to connect the pieces. The puppet is controlled by a handle out the back of the head and another out of the waist. The pvc pipe and ball arms hang slack unless operated by a second puppeteer. Tilting the waist handle left to right creates motion in the legs allowing them to walk naturally.
Directed by Lucy Hall and Emily Lequesne
Puppet Designed and Made by Eleanor Rogers
Collaborated with Llew Morgan, Louis Smith and Ruby Brown
