My Uncle Oswald - Props Research

        In much the same way that I scoured Dahl's story for descriptions of Oswald and Yasmin, once I had selected the scene which I felt would best translate into a set for the two puppet to inhabit, I carefully read the passage of the book and made notes on any description Dahl gave, either of the scene itself, or any specific props which would inhabit said set.

        The items which Dahl specifically makes mention of, which are integral to the plot and must be included are the cases which contain his scientific equipment (including vials, flasks, test tubes and a microscope), which are disguised as leather suit cases and travelling cases, a small box of round chocolate truffles from Prestat, and a biscuit tin of powdered blister beetle (the powerful aphrodisiac which make's Oswald's scheme possible). The cases in particular are important, not only because for containing the aforementioned equipment, but because their presence will help define the set as a hotel room, rather than a room in a house.

        However, these are only the items specifically mentioned. For the set to properly evoke the feel of a luxury hotel room there are numerous other items to consider, from furniture to curtains, wallpaper, lamps, pictures, carpets, ornaments, travelling paraphernalia, and architectural features such as skirting, dado rails and cornicing. Fortunately my research into Art Nouveau had uncovered examples of nearly all of these items, being as it was an artistic movement which influenced both decorative and applied arts.

        Another key prop which appears in the novel in a chaise longue. Although I have taken it out of its original context, to place in the hotel room (it appears in a separate scene of the story) I felt it was such a stylish prop, and so synonymous with the story (it adorns the cover of my copy of the book) that it would be a shame not to include it. And a chaise longue is so much more interesting than an average sofa.

        Unfortunately the elaborate curves characteristic of Art Nouveau may prove troublesome and fiddly, so it may be necessary to simplify the shapes. This is more of an issue where the furniture curves in three dimensions (the laser cutter can cut fairly elaborate shapes in two dimensions). Jewellery making wire could however be used to recreate the gilded embellishments. Another thing to bear in mind is the angle from which a prop will be viewed. There is little point in producing a beautifully finished prop, when most of it will be hidden from view.

        As time is rapidly passing it may be prudent to prioritise the props, concentrating on the main and most important items first, rather than getting distracted by smaller, incidental objects. There are a few items, predominantly the scientific equipment and glassware, which may be beyond my current capabilities as a model maker. However, I have discovered a dolls house supplier in York which stock such items, although on a slightly smaller scale than I desire. However the fact that such things exist may mean that slightly larger versions are available. Yet these scale items are pricey, so it would be worth my while to model as much as possible myself.