A word on the new Mr. Bubblesby Michael Menes
Mr. Bubbles was really in need of a complete overhaul. He'd been thrown together with foam, zippers, velcro and hot glue in the "11th hour" before an opening night back in the day. He long since was retired up in my attic turning ever deeper shades of darkening yellow.
So in designing the new "Mr. Bubbles" (June, 2010), I tried to play with materials much in the same way as I did in creating the first version of the "Spike" stilt character. I tried to invent solutions and techniques based on specific tasks that the character needed to perform. The aesthetic (as it does in nature) follows as efficiently as possible the function of an organism which is great fun to explore.
I tried to get to know the materials (like chicken wire, pull ties, and magnets) as intimately as possible in getting away from the more problematic solutions of such things as velcro (doesn't release consistently or quietly!). I resisted the urge to "farm it out" although once I could actually demonstrate a technique with the materials, I could conceivably instruct a helper how to replicate something if needed. As a result, the sewing, stapling, grommeting, and other techniques were often "invented".
In the end, getting a prop so that it can be toured (not just performed locally) is very tricky (and sometimes expensive!). It could take many versions before it's really reliable. It has to be light, portable, easy to clean, durable, and most importantly do what it's supposed to on stage without issues over and over again! Oddly, after 3 weeks and almost $1,000 spent, I am extremely proud of this egg-like, shell-like, alien spore we refer to as "Mr. Bubbles."
