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as a costumer. Chris’s dad [Len Piper] did a renaissance heritage fair in Honolulu, and he invited us to come out and do The Magic Mirror, and Chris was also going to perform Peter and the Wolf. Then Chris met MayField, and he was The One. Within a couple of years they were married and, of course, she married the Puppet Co. as well. But the minute she walked in the door, we started making money. I think we were easier to perceive as these two guys doing this very peculiar work when MayField came in. It was more like a family. MayField has succeeded at anything she ever tried. She does incredible needlepoint and in- credible pottery, and she’s made an incredible
Adventure Theater. From Jack and the Beanstalk and Other English Folk Tales, 1980. Cap-o'-Rushes section. Dorit Kushner, front left. Puppets by Allan Stevens. Photo: E. Penn Stephens
MayField Piper coming into the company was pivotal, absolutely pivotal…the minute Mayfield walked in the door, we started making money. It was more like a family. MayField has succeeded at anything she ever tried.
First exhibit in the Puppet Co. Playhouse, 1990. Model for Babes in Toyland. Photo: Christopher Piper
business manager. She’s done such a fabulous job. She never imagined she was going to play Cinderella. Somebody stuck the puppet in her hand and said, “No! Say it like this!” Her roles in Cinderella and Pinocchio, in particu- lar, are exemplary. Working on costumes with her has been a joy. JB: The three of you have made a great team. AS: I’ve often thought, how have we managed to do this without killing each other? Living together and working together. We all three think on both sides of our brains. We have a creative end as well as a cognitive end, and it’s through that that we’ve been able to do this three-person show here, thirty- seven years later.
Smithsonian Puppet Theater, 1975. The Book of Three (Hen Wen, the oracular pig, and Taran). Puppets by Allan Stevens. Photo: Harry Bagdasian
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Editor’s Note: As the interview continues to unfold, Allan Stevens speaks about Jim Henson; Mabel Beaton; Julie Taymor; Heather Henson; puppets in plays, musicals, and operas; retire- ment; the health consequences of using acetone; and the thrill of finding the perfect fabric for Cinderella or Snow White. To see the full interview contact
puppetimes@gmail.com.
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