Steve Allen with his puppet Max

by Gerry Warren

Puppeteer and model maker Steve Allen has had a hand in some of the most famous characters in television and film.

The 49-year-old worked for Muppets creator Jim Henson and EMI Studios, especially designing soft toys for the commercial market, recreating characters and features from Fraggle Rock, Thunderbirds, Star Wars and Wallace and Gromit.

But now the Petham-based artist is focusing on his own new character, Max - a green, red-nosed wise-cracking dog who likes to get involved in everyone else’s business.

And at 7.30pm today - the day after the release of the new Muppets film - he will introduce Max in both hand puppet and mechanical forms - to an audience at the village hall in a show called Models and Mayhem.

He will also talk about his long career in the industry, including his work on films such as Labyrinth, starring David Bowie.

Steve Allen's character Ludo appeared in Labyrinth

Steve, who also lectures on model-making, began his working life as a soft toy designer for a company in Canterbury when he was just 16.

He said: “I got a lucky break when we were asked to design a toy for Fraggle Rock which involved me going to Jim Henson’s studio in London and meeting him.

“He liked what I did and offered me a job which was amazing. I got to work with some very talented people including Jim’s own art director.

“In particular, I created the prototype of the hairy character Ludo in Labyrinth.”

Steve, who lives in the Old Bakehouse in the The Street, reckons he has been involved in more than 1,000 projects over the last 30 years and says it is an industry where adaptability is vital.

But his own pet project with Max is currently focusing his attention and he is also producing a short film starring the character which will involve 200 extras and local bands Coco and the Butterfields and The Acoustic Architects.

He said: “It’s working title is '10 out of 10’ and we will start filming in April after which the film will then go out on 'You Tube.”

This Saturday, between 2pm and 5pm, Steve will be exhibiting many of his creations at the village hall - from the sketches through to the prototypes and finished working models - describing the thinking and mechanics behind them.

Tickets for the exhibition are £4 and £2 (for children) The evening talk starts at 7.30pm and tickets for both events are £8 and £5 (for children).

To book, or for more information, phone 01227 700847 or 01227 700327.