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National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Paul Keating Rubbery Figures puppet

1985

Paul Keating Rubbery Figures puppet

1985

  • NFSA IDESV891FQ
  • TypeImage
  • MediumDocumentation
  • FormProp
  • Year1985

This original prop from political satire Rubbery Figures (1984–1990) is a caricatured, puppet version of Paul Keating with a bow tie. He was portrayed in the series as prime minister Bob Hawke's down-to-earth crony but Keating's puppet also made an appearance on sketch series Fast Forward as the pointy-eared Mr Spock in a Star Trek spoof (Hawke was Captain Kirk). The distorted face makes it a less-than-flattering likeness, but viewers would have had no trouble recognising who it represented.

Rubbery Figures was a popular ABC series in the late '80s that operated on a miniscule budget. The series gave viewers an insight into the political figures and news of the day, although seen through a satirical lens. Its stars – the politician puppets – were originally made out of caricature artist Peter Nicholson’s makeshift film studio in North Melbourne until the concept was revived as a popular segment on Steve Vizard’s Fast Forward.

This original prop from political satire Rubbery Figures (1984–1990) is a caricatured, puppet version of Paul Keating with a bow tie. He was portrayed in the series as prime minister Bob Hawke's down-to-earth crony but Keating's puppet also made an appearance on sketch series Fast Forward as the pointy-eared Mr Spock in a Star Trek spoof (Hawke was Captain Kirk). The distorted face makes it a less-than-flattering likeness, but viewers would have had no trouble recognising who it represented.

Rubbery Figures was a popular ABC series in the late '80s that operated on a miniscule budget. The series gave viewers an insight into the political figures and news of the day, although seen through a satirical lens. Its stars – the politician puppets – were originally made out of caricature artist Peter Nicholson’s makeshift film studio in North Melbourne until the concept was revived as a popular segment on Steve Vizard’s Fast Forward.

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