| Title | File type | Publiseringsdato | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norske fjernsynsdukker: Article in Norwegian about the history of NRK’s (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation’s) television puppets. | September 4, 2024 | Download |
Pompel and Pilt
Pompel and Pilt were two glove puppets who featured in the series Reparatørene kommer! ("The repair-men are coming!"), which was first produced by NRK in 1969. The concept and script were by Bjørg and Arne Mykle, and by Ebbe Ording, who was also the producer. Bjørg and Arne Mykle designed and created the puppets, Oda Flakstad designed the stage decor and Ellen Aanesen was responsible for filming.
Reparatørene kommer! was first broadcast on NRK in October 1969, and later in 1973 (Reparatørene kommer tilbake – "The repair-men return"), 1976 (Reparatørene kommer og kommer – "The repair-men keep coming"), 1979 (Reparatørene kommer igjen – "The repair-men come back") and 1985 (Reparatørene kommer tilbake igjen - "The repair-men come back again").
The series was presented as "pre-ironic" in the listings guide in 1969. In the 1990s, Reparatørene became a cult series for young adults. They called themselves the "Pompel and Pilt generation".
Information
(Objekt ID 139932)| Object type | Puppet |
| Production date | October 1968 |
| Category | Glove puppet |
| Themes | Children, Youth, Adult, Television figure |
| Size | Approximately 50 to 55 cm |
| License | The descendants of the Mykle family. |
Teaterfigur
Teaterfigurer, bedre kjent som teaterdukker, har spilt på norske scener i generasjoner, til stor glede for publikum i alle aldersgrupper.
Arne Mykle played Pompel and Bjørg Mykle played Pilt, and they voiced their own puppets.
Gordon vaktmester (Gordon the caretaker), Moffedillen and Migrantene (The migrants) were puppets that also featured in the series. They were also played by Arne and Bjørg Mykle.
The series was the subject of debate every time it was broadcast, and NRK received many letters from viewers. Some children enjoyed the series, while others found it frightening; many adults thought it was damaging to children. As a result, NRK stopped broadcasting it. The series achieved cult status, especially after it was removed from NRK’s schedule. It returned to television screens in 1994.
Pompel and Pilt was an example of surrealistic puppet theatre. All the episodes had similar storylines, where Pompel and Pilt pottered around in incoherent scenes and attempt to repair everything that they came across.
SOURCES:
Dukketeater underveis. Familien Mykle og Norsk Dukketeater ("Puppetry along the way. The Mykle family and Norwegian puppetry") Stiftelsen Modums Blaafarveværk (The Modum Cobalt Works Foundation), published in connection with the exhibition "Dukketeater underveis", Modum, Blaafarveværket, 2006.
Helgesen, Anne: Descriptions for the TV puppet exhibition "Alle tiders barndomshelter" ("Childhood heroes through the generations"), Slottsfjellsmuseet/Figurfestspillene, 19–28 January 2024.
Ownership: NRK/On loan from Kari Mykle.
Transmitted to Sceneweb: 25.01.2024.
The heads of Pompel and Pilt were formed of plasticine, before newspaper and glue were moulded around the form. When the moulded head had dried, it was cut in two and the plasticine was removed, before the two parts of the head were glued together again. It was important that a neck was also constructed with the head, so that the clothes could be fixed to it. The head and faces were painted. Both puppets had heavy hair made of animal fur, a collar and tie and long orange coats buttoned all the way down. The puppets’ long sleeves are intended to "straighten up" the puppets’ shoulders, which can appear uneven because of the way the hand is positioned in the puppet.
Both Pompel and Pilt had underclothes made to fit the puppeteer’s hand. They were made of soft cotton that allowed the fingers and hand to move freely.
Pompel was the older of the two and was given a "heavier", more tired-looking face. He had a short, wide head while Pilt had a longer, narrower head. Neither puppet has a mouth, but Gordon the caretaker had a very large mouth (Ref: conversation with Arne Mykle, Blaafarveværket 2006:75).
The above description is based on photographs, the puppets and knowledge of the Mykle family’s glove puppet tradition.
The glove puppets have small movements, created by the fingers and the wrist. Through two generations of the Mykle family, the fingers were placed so that the head was placed on the puppeteer’s index finger, while the other fingers and thumb formed the puppet’s right and left arms / hands. the puppet has short arms, but it is also possible to extend these if necessary.
In 1954, Jane and Agnar Mykle published their book Dukketeater! ("Puppetry!"), which includes a detailed description of how the puppets were made.
The above description is based on photographs, the puppets and knowledge of the Mykle family’s glove puppet tradition.
| Arne Mykle (person) | – Designer, Puppet Maker |
| Bjørg Mykle (person) | – Designer, Puppet Maker |
| NRK (organization) | – Creator |
| Reparatørene (production) | – Glove puppet |