Chris Somerville is one of Britain's leading Marionette Manipulators and was taught and inspired by the late Eric Bramall, for many the world's greatest. Eric developed a style of string puppet presentation for the variety stage and for cabaret work and involving the minimum of stage equipment. The puppeteer appears alongside the large puppets which are isolated in a spotlight. This technique requires great skill since there is no stage or scenery to assist the illusion. 
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 Parties Nursery National Trust Theatre On the Web Cabaret |
Chris has found this versatile technique has allowed him to appear in a wide variety of venues. With his Marionette Cabaret he has appeared as an After Dinner entertainer, has seen most of the world performing on luxury cruise liners, for several years he toured the North of England clubs, he has worked in shops and shopping malls, and has presented the cabaret al fresco.
The Marionette Cabaret is made up of short musical and surprise items ranging from the pathos of the clown struggling with a seaside deckchair to the incredible realism of the gypsy violinist, from the ever-popular Two Teddy Bears to the raunchy burlesque of Shirley Bassey. Then there's the disjointing Skeleton, the incredible puppet working another puppet, and a host of novelties which never fail to delight.