Isolde needs a hand to get show back on the road
A Barcaldine puppeteer is looking for a helping hand as she spreads joy around the region to children and adults alike.
Born in Colorado in the USA, Isolde MacKay has lived in the Argyll village for the past 20 years and until recently has been entertaining local children with magical tales brought to life by her self-created hand/glove and finger puppet shows.
Due to other commitments Isolde's assistant Sue Greenwood has had to give up her role and the Oban postie is now looking for a replacement so that the show can go on.
Isolde told us: 'I am looking for an enthusiastic person to help me set up the shows, do scene changes, help with props, as well as work and voice the puppets.
'I'm quite happy to show someone the ropes so they just need to come with enthusiasm and a little bit of imagination so that they can put their own stamp onto the characters.'
Isolde began puppeteering at primary school and has been performing shows for the past 50 years.
Aimed mostly at children, her educational stories focus on wildlife and fantasy. Her most recent creations include Max the cat on his mission to find the moon and a Rabbit who meets an array of animals while journeying along the tunnels until finding one who shares his enthusiasm for rhyme.
Isolde added: 'It's so much fun making these stories up and then developing them into a show. Some of the stories I have taken from other things I have heard or seen and then I adapt them but all of them have a message and are full of fun.
'Puppeteering is a great way of building your confidence. You are able to get creative, lose yourself in the characters and tales and witness the joy it brings to others.
'I absolutely love doing it and am grateful to Barcaldine Community Association for providing opportunities for me to perform. It would be great to have someone working with me that enjoyed doing the shows as much as I do.'
Anyone who wishes to assist Isolde should contact her by emailing bintnett@aol.co.uk or by phoning her on 07493 936462.