Eric Smith

(1939-) Puppeteer, architect and set designer. * Originally from Pretoria, where he trained in art and architecture. Here he became involved in puppetry through *** and also worked with the Angel Theatre in London. In 1969 he emigrated to Israel, and in 1971 he and and Israeli actor Yossi Graber founded a puppet theatre in Tel Aviv. Eric’s Puppet Company travelled widely and got prizes and excellent write-ups in many capitals of the world. It also did much work for television and got its national reputation after doing the famous tv serial for children with puppets Tamari's Hut. In 1981 the puppet company came to South Africa to star in the opening season of the Pretoria State Theatre.