·         What do you bring to the puppet show and how much space do you need?

·         Can I make a recording of your show when you come to my event?

·         What do your puppet shows cost?

·         Do you perform at birthday parties?

·         Attention Span

·         Age Appropriateness

·         Are your shows scary?

·         Can you perform outdoors?

·         Do you need a power outlet?

·         What else do you need when you arrive?

·         Do you give the children any "extras"?

·         How soon should I contact you to book a show?

·         How do I book a show?

·         What happens when I book a show?

·         What happens if I have to cancel my booking?

·         Who is behind Caboose Puppets?

·         Is this your full-time job?

·         How many years have you been doing puppet shows?

·         Do you perform shows outside of the Sydney Metropolitan area?

·         Are you insured?

 

What do you bring to the puppet show and how much space do you need?

Caboose Puppets brings a full stage, complete with sound system and lights to your event. The puppet stage requires a performance space of 3 metres wide by 2 metres deep. The performance space should be a level surface or an elevated platform (stage) close to one standard power outlet. The audience should be seated at least one metre in front of the stage to comfortably view the performance.

The diagram below shows measurements of the preferred stage equipment arrangement.

Back to FAQ List

 

Can I make a recording of your show when you come to my event?

Caboose Puppets does not allow (for copyright reasons) the use of photographic or recording equipment to be used during a performance. However if you’d like to take a photo of your children with the Caboose Puppets this is available to you at the end of the performance, see the ‘extras’ FAQ.

Back to FAQ List

 

What do your puppet shows cost?

Pricing varies, depending on how much travel time is involved and how many shows you want. Discounts are available for multiple bookings. Please contact us to discuss pricing.

Back to FAQ List

 

Do you perform at birthday parties?

Yes! Many of my performances take place at birthday parties either at home or other venues, however I also perform at preschools, elementary schools, corporate parties, libraries and public events.

Back to FAQ List

 

Attention Span

It is generally agreed that most young children have an attention span of no longer than 30 minutes. With that in mind, all the Caboose Puppet shows last for approximately 30 minutes. Fast paced smoothly flowing action, engaging stories and an average of 15 puppets per show means that the shows can hold onto even the shortest of attention spans.

Back to FAQ List

 

Age Appropriateness

The shows are written to entertain the entire family and we often get adults telling us how much they enjoyed the show. However, the shows are aimed at 2-10 year old children. I never put any content into my shows that I would not want my young nieces to see.

Back to FAQ List

 

Are your shows scary?

The shows are gentle and all of the puppets friendly-looking. Children are rarely frightened by the puppets. Some children can be uncertain about what a puppet is and if it's alive or not. For some children it is the first time they’ve ever seen puppets other than on TV and the experience of a puppet show live in their house is very exciting and memorable. Many parents show their child pictures of the puppets on this web site to gauge their reaction. This also helps the child become familiar with the show. Parents have also told me that their child was very excited to be part of the process of selecting the entertainment for their party.

Back to FAQ List

 

Can you perform outdoors?

Only the Punch and Judy show is able to be performed outdoors, weather permitting. Both rain and wind make for unsuitable performance conditions. Choose a shady, level location for outside performances. If the performance is to take place on a lawn, please make sure the performance area is dry. It is a good idea to have an alternative performance location in case of unexpected weather changes.

Back to FAQ List

 

Do you need a power outlet?

There is plenty of extension cable packed along with the show. However, access to a power outlet is necessary for the sound and lighting equipment of the show.

Back to FAQ List

 

What else do you need when you arrive?

A number of heavy items need to be brought in to the performance area. Please provide a clear path to load the equipment in and out of the performance area. Please make sure parking is available close to the performance area. For schools and libraries, you might want to make books on puppetry and puppet making available to the children after the show.

Back to FAQ List

 

Do you give the children any "extras"?

At birthday parties, each child gets a colouring sheet which features characters from the puppet show. For libraries, schools and community events, one copy of the colouring sheet if provided to the event coordinator to photocopy. At Birthday parties there is also the opportunity for you to take a photo of your child/children with some of the Caboose Puppets after the show has ended. It’s a nice way to remember the show and how much you enjoyed it. If you’d like to take a photo or two with the Caboose Puppets, please let us know when booking as this takes a little extra time which we have to allow for so we’re not late for our next booking.

Back to FAQ List

 

How soon should I contact you to book a show?

As soon as you have a date and location for your event, you should book the entertainment. Some schools and libraries book six months to a year in advance. Our calendar fills up fast, so we urge you to call as soon as you have your date and location decided. It's best to book your entertainment before you send out invitations, since we may not have your first date and time available.

Back to FAQ List

 

How do I book a show?

Contact us to book a puppet show.

Back to FAQ List

 

What happens when I book a show?

After you call and a date and time for your show is agreed upon, you will be contacted by phone the day before the show to reconfirm the booking.

Back to FAQ List

 

What happens if I have to cancel my booking?

Sometimes things happen and bookings need to be cancelled. Provided you make the cancellation ONE WEEK (7 days) before the scheduled performance there will be no cancellation fee. Cancelling LESS than 7 days before the performance will result in a cancellation fee of $40. Cancelling the day before or on the day of the performance will require full payment. This is because cancelled performances mean no income and we all have to pay the bills.

Back to FAQ List

 

Who is behind Caboose Puppets?

Adam Freestone writes, produces and performs all the shows from Caboose Puppets. He has over 10 years experience performing with puppets and is an accomplished puppet builder and puppeteer and has worked with many professional companies throughout Australia.

Back to FAQ List

 

Is this your full-time job?

Yes, Adam makes his living solely as a professional puppeteer and puppet builder. You can also have puppets specially made by him, contact us with details of the puppets you require and we’ll be happy to give you more information.

Back to FAQ List

 

How many years have you been doing puppet shows?

Adam has been performing professionally since 1999. He has worked in theatre performing the man eating plant ‘Audrey II’ in “Little Shop of Horrors”. He has also done promotional puppetry work for Bilby Theatrical Productions and David Jones Dept Stores. Most recently Adam has created Caboose Puppets which brings, to great acclaim, the wonderful art of puppetry to homes and schools and libraries across Australia

Back to FAQ List

 

Do you perform shows outside of the Sydney Metropolitan area?

Yes. However, because of travel expenses, it is usually more cost effective to hire Caboose Puppets for more than one performance. There are discounts for multiple performances. Please contact us to discuss pricing and availability.

Back to FAQ List

 

Are you insured?

Caboose Puppets carries public liability insurance through Commercial Pacific Insurance LTD.

Back to FAQ List