Albert & Marshall
In 2015, we were approached by our local Chinese community to perform at their Chinese New Year celebrations. They had a Lion but no dancers. We were shown the drumming and the dance routines, and taken through our paces until they were happy we could perform. We loved it and wanted to do it again... and again.
Using traditional Lion building techniques, Tim and Sue from Ravens Morris created Albert the Cat in all his steampunk glory. He became our symbol.
Further lessons from a Chinese lion dance expert in Sheffield has shown that Albert's not fit enough for all the moves and so has gone into partial retirement. A handmade Chinese Lion all the way from er...China, has joined the team for the show, using traditional lion dance techniques.
As the kung fu and dance skills develop, so the dancers will enable Marshall to grow in skill and dexterity.
Keep watching - it's a long journey to learn how to handle this extraordinary two-person puppet.
Huge thanks to the Chinese Community for encouraging us to learn this amazing skill, and especially to Carl for teaching it to us!
Sometimes Raven will process with us too!
