Bill Kenwright Limited Laughing Sailor

  • The laughing Sailor prop on the stage at the Theatre production, Sleuth.
  • The laughing sailor with his wig and hat.
  • Sculpting the laughing sailor head out of clay.

The brief

We were asked to make a laughing sailor prop for the theatre production, Sleuth. We sculpted the face and hands out of clay based on the original slot machine laughing sailors built in the 1950s, we made the costume complete with hat and wig, and built the same mechanisms as the original using a motorised spring to make him move to a laughing soundtrack.

Project Details

All is good with the sailor and he is performing well. They love him and keep trying to work him into the curtain call! Many thanks.

Julie Godfrey - Theatre Designer - Bill Kenwright Limited

Prop process images

  1. Sculpting the laughing sailor head out of clay.
  2. Hands for the laughing sailor sculpted in clay.
  3. Laughing sailor head sculpted in clay, being prepared for making a mould to cast.
  4. The paint work finished on the laughing sailor's head.
  5. Testing the laughing sailor's motor.
  6. The laughing sailor with his wig and hat.

The Process

We clay sculpted the Laughing Sailor's face and hands based on the originals from the 1950's and then we made a mould and cast in fibreglass which we finished, and then scenically painted and airbrushed the finer detail. The dummy sat on a box on a spring motorised mechanism making it move just like the originals including the eyes. The armature was then padded out ready for his sailor outfit complete with hat and wig. Lastly we placed a remote controlled speaker in his box which when pressed would make him move and laugh. He sits on the stage for the majority of the production and plays a vital part in the thriller. 

Project Images

  • The laughing Sailor prop on the stage at the Theatre production, Sleuth.
  • The laughing sailor on stage at the theatre production, Sleuth.

The Result

Its always exciting making a prop that moves. We enjoyed sculpting the Laughing Sailor based on the 1950s ones, and its been great seeing him come to life on the stage and watching the audiences reactions.