puppet master and puppet

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

You know you’ve heard that line about dogs and owners looking alike. Well what about a man and his puppet?

Me thinks our friend Greg Gathers is carving a little closer to his own likeness these days. – Just sayin’.

To be fair the lighting could have been kinder to one of G Lady’s favorite puppet makers; a bit harsh to be sure. But had it been softer - this posting wouldn’t have been as much fun!

Well friends, you can get a closer look and be your own judge real soon. Greg and his Pontine Theatre co artistic director M. Marguerite Mathews, pictured here giving comfort to the elderly, will unveil their latest original piece “Dunnet Landing Stories,” based on the works of Sarah Orne Jewett; (starts April 24). For info click here.

Oh and if you have the constitution for it, you can get a gander of some naked puppets in an archive, Gossip Lady video. It's from a trip DC (intrepid videographer) and G Lady took to Pontine when the pair was working on its "Story of a Bad Boy."

This segment remains one of G Lady's favorite behind-the-scene peeks. It's a wonderful, wonderful look at the puppets in an earlier stage of creation, along with some other delightful, theatrical conventions Pontine employs in its work. All that AND you get to see these two impeccable performers in a messy moment. Gasp!

To see the segment click here and scroll down the page till you see a picture that matches the one just above, picturing Marguerite, me and the naked puppets.

Meanwhile here’s a sneak peek at another of Greg's props, destined for the newest play.

Love his work; simply love it.

Yours in awe of it all,

Gossip Lady.

Discover - well US!

Greetings Gossip Lovers

There's nothing spookier than a big empty building. Alas whatever ethereal claimed this space as home is likely packing as we speak, as the Portsmouth Historical Society, (PHS) is fluffing chairs, filling walls and setting up shop for another season of its Discover Portsmouth Center, (DPC), which opens this very weekend.

The DPC - should you not know - is the one-stop, put-your-feet-up, information and more for area arts and cultural concerns, located in the old Portsmouth City Library.

For those who haven't seen the old library stripped of its former face, here's a peek pre production so to speak. (Alas, no ghosties apparent).

But first, to the right is a picture of Marguerite Mathews, Pontine Theatre's co artistic director and President of PHS, taking shots from tiny little paper people who have aimed their Lilliputian rifles at her. Don't worry. She's an actress. Dodging little people's bullets is second nature.

Marguerite is in the former library main room, now were guests are greeted, information dispensed and cool history books and goodies are sold.

Next up Marguerite,seated in the room where DPC presents a short introductory video to visitors. It's the room BEHIND the main lobby and former check-out desk.

The next photo is of the middle room, second floor. Remember? This one had the tall books on the back wall. The front racks held hobby and craft literature; row two, movies and theater. Ahh memories.

The room with the ladder is the new home of the Seacoast African American Cultural Center. It's the former children's room. SAACC starts moving in this month.

Finally, below, a shot from the second floor. Just love it.

The upper level is open to area artists for exhibition. The lower level (remember, references, magazines, newspapers, research), houses Discover's annual exhibits. This year it will offer one on gondolas and others on 1950s and '70s Seacoast-related art.

Present, future, past - past-participle. Wonderful, wonderful Portsmouth.


Yours in appreciation of where we're at.

Gossip Lady