| Summary |
Perdita Eldridge talks about her adoption by (Elizabeth) Margaret Symon; Ballets Russes, Colonel W. de Basil (1932); the Depression, Sir Josiah Symon; the circumstances of the Symon family; the introduction of the Symon children to the arts; the interests and libraries of the youngest Symon son, Mary, Angel and Kilmeny Symon; her schooling; her mother's nursery school (Inn Nursery School); Mary Symon's interest in ballet; Henry Legerton; further on the Ballets Russes tour to the Adelaide Theatre Royal, sponsored by her mother; the tours by the Ballets Russes and the Royal Ballet; her memories of occasions in London with Henry Legerton and John Cranko; lessons from one of the Ballets Russes dancers during the Adelaide tour; presenting flower bouquets to Ballets Russes dancers during the Adelaide tour; the beginnings of her interest in puppets when in Perth; meeting her husband, William (Bill) Eldridge.
Eldridge discusses touring in 'Salad days'; studying and her experiences at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London; life in post war Britain, including rationing; the library and interests of (Elizabeth) Margaret Symon; the family of Sir Josiah Symon, in particular Mary and (Elizabeth) Margaret; the temperaments of Elizabeth (Margaret), Mary, Angel and Kilmeny Symon and her relationship with them; a personal tragedy and her divorce; the beginnings of her puppetry practice in England; her first puppet show in England; her continuing work as a puppeteer in England and Australia; returning to Australia (1972); life and her work as a puppeteer on her return to Australia; running puppeteer workshops in later life; Mary Symon and her involvement with puppets and the theatre; reflections on Australian culture and puppetry.
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