CdM
    Patrick Chaboud

    Patrick Chaboud · Founder and artistic director of the Magic Land Théâtre · actor, author, travelling performer

    La véritable histoire de Malvira (RTBF, 1987)

    In 1987, the Magic Land Théâtre shot La véritable histoire de Malvira in RTBF's largest studio. A month of filming, giant sets of ramparts, arcades and turrets, and a whole company working below frame to bring the puppets to life. These photographs reveal the human work behind the illusion and the collective precision that shaped the show.

    Photo album from the 1987 shoot, published by Patrick Chaboud on his Facebook profile. Twelve photographs devoted to the giant sets and the team's work.

    RTBF's largest studio
    The set seen from the gallery: ramparts, arcades, lighting grids. The shoot occupied RTBF's largest studio for a month.
    Giant sets
    Turrets, painted stone walls and wooden platforms: the scale of the set built for La véritable histoire de Malvira in 1987.
    The puppeteers at work
    Arms raised below frame, the Magic Land Théâtre puppeteers bring the characters to life off-camera. All of that work stays invisible on screen.
    The team and their characters
    An impromptu team photo on set: each performer poses with the character he operates.
    The council, in scene
    A council scene: sculpted puppets, velvet, ledgers and candlesticks. Meticulous detail, down to a shot of a few seconds.
    Building the set
    Ramparts, arcades and battlements built at full scale in the studio: the RTBF technical crew and the performers shared the same floor for a month.
    The battle on the ramparts
    A battle scene on the ramparts: four puppeteers at arm's length, off-camera, for a few seconds on screen.
    A break on set
    Between two sequences, Patrick Chaboud talks with a member of the production, a puppet resting on a chair beside them.
    Below frame, the portrait gallery
    Two puppeteers hold their characters in front of a wall of painted portraits. The set goes as far as the paintings hung on the castle walls.
    Two characters, costumes and tapestries
    Two costumed puppets in front of a tapestry and a suit of armour: the care given to sculpted faces and fabrics.
    Backstage, a character at arm's length
    Backstage, a performer holds his character at arm's length before going on. 1987 photo album published by Patrick Chaboud on his Facebook profile.
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