| 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 |
Zook
Zook was one of the characters in the television series Kometkameratene ("The comet comrades"), which was about nine aliens who are on their way to Earth in a spaceship. Their mission was to find out what people on Earth spend their time doing.
Kometkameratene was created by the Swedish company BLA (Stockholm), in collaboration with NRK’s children’s television division NRK Super. BLA has specialised in puppet theatre for television.
BLA was responsible for the concept, script, direction and for the construction of the puppets. Petter Lennstrand from BLA was responsible for the concept and directed the production, working together with NRK Super.
In total, 48 episodes of Kometkameratene were produced between 2008 and 2011.
Information
(Objekt ID 146113)| Object type | Puppet |
| Production date | 2008 |
| Category | Rod puppet |
| Themes | Children, Television figure |
| Size | approximately 40-45 cm high |
| License | © BLA Stockholm and NRK Super. |
Teaterfigur
Teaterfigurer, bedre kjent som teaterdukker, har spilt på norske scener i generasjoner, til stor glede for publikum i alle aldersgrupper.
Six "adult" and three young aliens (Rampejentene; "The rascal girls") were on their way to Earth in a spaceship. In each episode, two aliens were sent to Earth to investigate a human activity. They would explore the activity and communicate with humans before returning to their spaceship in order to discuss their findings with their colleagues, who would try to understand what the two emissaries had experienced.
Zook was the smallest alien, but he had large teeth. He had no voice and communicated by sounds. Zook was performed by Thomas Hildebrand.
Sources: Helgesen, Anne: Descriptions for the TV puppet exhibition "Alle tiders barndomshelter" ("Childhood heroes through the generations"), Slottsfjellsmuseet/Figurfestspillene, 19–28 January 2024.
https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kometkameratene
Ownership: On loan from NRK Super.
Transmitted to Sceneweb: 15.02.2024.
Zook has a large and expressive mouth that is typical of muppet-type figures. It also has rods fastened to its forepaws so that the performer can control its paws and arms. Rods fastened to hands/paws are typical for rod puppets. Hybrid-type puppets are often made to give them greater range of expression.
TV puppets often have an expressive mouth; they are so close to the camera that movement in the mouth region is almost essential - especially if they have a lot to say. Zook has large teeth made of foam rubber, and bright eyes with large black pupils. The head, body and arms are made from short, fluffy material. On the top of the head the puppet has long hair or antennae that stick out in all directions.
Zook’s body is round, almost like a ball, and the two back legs are sewn to the outside of the body. The puppet is a strange being, an animal from an unknown dimension.
The above description is based on photographs.
| NRK (organization) | – Creator |
| BLA Stockholm (organization) | – Puppet Maker, Designer |
| Kometkameratene (production) | – Muppet |