Home > Reviews, Evaluations & Recommendations

In this area you will find a growing collection of feedback we’ve received for our performances. If you have attended one of our shows and have any comments you’d like to share – please contact us.

July 2001, L’Ardenne Charlesvilles-Mezieres, France, World Puppetry Festival

“The Canadians, Maritime Marionettes, deliver a classical and virtuoso adaptation of Stravinsky’s ballet.”Mathieu Dubois

“The perfect complementary style and the masterful technique of the two marionettists, create a fluidly choreographed performance. The puppets twirl and pass from hand to hand without the slightest break in rhythm. In short the virtuosity of the two Canadian artists is undeniable.”

“From this grand dance classic, Heather and Darryll Taylor have developed a classical adaptation… presented with virtuoso hands. The audience praised the performance without contest.”

Re: Maritime Marionettes

Heather and Darryll Taylor of Maritime Marionettes recently completed a seven-show tour for the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils.

Heather and Darryll were very good to work with in advance of and during the tour – cooperative, dependable, and professional. Evaluations are just now starting to trickle in; following are some of the comments that have been received:

“This was an excellent performance and all ages enjoyed it. Appreciated the Taylors taking time to talk about marionettes hands-on experience and photo opportunity.”Joanne Weiss, Assiniboia Arts Council

“Heather and Daryl put on an awesome show. The sound quality was exceptional (even in our gym!). The Marionettes were awesome as was the way the team manipulated them.”Marilyn McCutcheon, Estevan Arts Council

“We had a lot of children with their parents in our audience, and the show was thoroughly enjoyed by young and old alike. The artists very generously spent time after the show demonstrating the marionettes and technique.”Valerie Bell, Kipling & District Arts Council

“The audience loved the show.”Kathy Strutt, Kindersley & District Arts Council

I would not hesitate to recommend Maritime Marionettes as an excellent addition to any presenter’s season.

Sincerely,
Karen Mondor
Performing Arts Coordinator
Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils

Thank-you for the Maritime Marionettes!

It was a most wonderful and surprising experience when I attended the show Rumplestilskin. The level of artistry was unbelievable. The adaption of the story and choice of music was exquisite. I went again to the nativity story, and found it most moving. As a Dartmouth resident, it is something I am proud lives in my community.

I do believe it has a positive moral impact on those who watch it. So I only wish the audience was packed…with seniors, those less privileged, individuals with special needs, as well as lots of children. What a real education that would be…and a seed of hope that ‘lives happily ever after.”

Sincerely,
Margaret Osmond, Dartmouth NS

Bonjour,

Je tenais à vous remercier pour le magnifique spectacle que vous nous avez offert hier après-midi, au Centre Samuel-de-Champlain, à Saint-Jean.

Mon fils de 3 ans, Noah, et son ami de 2 ans, Olivier ont été charmés.

Mon amie et moi n’avions pas beaucoup confiance en la patience de nos enfants, mais ils sont restés assis dans la première rangée, et accrochés à l’histoire pendant une heure.

Nous étions tout étonnées de nos garçons!

Vous avez fait un magnifique travail. Les marionnettes sont superbes et l’histoire était charmante.

Merci encore une fois et longue vie à votre troupe de marionnettes!

Geneviève Roberge, Saint-Jean, NB

Yukon

A wonderful opportunity for students in an isolated northern town to have access to this type of performance. An excellent show that entertained children and adults alike.Del Van Gorder School, Faro, Yukon

I found the artists to be highly professional, well rehearsed and skilled performers. The audience, including myself, sat in complete silence fully absorbed by the performance and story content. The theme of the play was well chosen and highly appropriate for all ages. The message was understood by all. The puppets were extremely well crafted and contributed to the overall appeal of the performance.Del Van Gorder School, Faro, Yukon

New Brunswick Performing Arts Concerts Program

St. Patricks, School

“This is the second year we’ve had the Maritime Marionettes at our school. The performance was excellent and held the children’s attention well. All children and staff greatly enjoyed the performance.”Ethel McGrath – teacher and enrichment coordinator

Mountainview Elementary, Cape Breton

“Excellent! It thoroughly captivated the audience – they were spell-bound. Best Children’s performance yet.”

Cousen Memorial
Lyman Elementary
Maine, USA

“Students of all ages were glued to the performance and teachers hailed Maritime Marionettes as one of the best performances that has been at our school. From my perspective this performance did it all: captivating story, ethical messages, visual artistry in the marionettes, performing artistry (including music), and a good dose of wisdom and personal conquest. The truly amazing thing is that all this fit smoothly into the story without a distraction that it was trying to teach something.”

Sincerely, Jon Gale
Principal

I am pleased to recommend this performance.

The wonderful set and effects captivate the students and the story is brought to life through the skill Darryll and Heather have in manipulating the marionettes. The response from audiences is reflected in the comments we received:

“Great! Awesome! One of the best so far!”

“It was a wonderful show, unlike anything we have seen before”

“Students enjoyed this new medium”

It was a pleasure to work with Heather and Darryll throughout this tour. The are very professional and extremely organized. Their tour was a great success and I highly recommend this performance.

Sincerely,
Beryl Madden
Performing Arts Coordinator
Junior Concerts
OSAC

Website – Feedback

I was wondering if you used to perform at the Kingston and District elementary school in Kingston, NS ? I went there when I was a child, I’m now 24. I have never forgotten how delightful your work was, if this is in fact who I am looking for. Judging by the immaculate work on your marionettes, it looks so. I have never gotten over your shows…Thank you, J. Anderson

Before I moved to Ontario, I was a volunteer Pre-school teacher in Glace Bay (Nova Scotia). We took the children to see you perform Molly and the Oak Island Treasure at the Savoy. I was in awe. I was so excited I volunteered to take another group of kids the next day. Top notch quality entertainment. It was great. Words alone cannot describe the look on the children’s faces as they witnessed what marionettes were all about, not to mention when Molly found the treasure…the glow from the treasure chest had them doing a double take. They loved it. So did I. Keep up the good work. I recommend that everyone should see your shows at least once…a year that is.Ken Crawford

March 3/13/2012

Dear Heather and Darryll –
On behalf of the Salt Lake City Public Library system, thank you for participating in the 10th Annual Puppetry Festival. We were overjoyed with your performances of Petrouchka and with your very valuable workshop. Accolades are still arriving from delighted patrons. We wish you and the Maritime Marionettes all the best and hope to have you here again in the future.

Mary Anne Heider, Librarian