Firebird, created in 1973, featured a cast including John Dixon, Ken Heanes, Alan Buckman, Jan Tupman and Jeanne Delaney. The production was adapted for puppets by John Blundall, who also designed and directed the piece, bringing his distinctive visual and sculptural style to the stage.
Blundall played a significant role in shaping the look and personality of Aloysius Parker, Lady Penelope’s memorable chauffeur in Thunderbirds. As one of the principal sculptors on the first series, he created Parker’s unmistakable features—his expressive brows, sly smile and sharply caricatured face—giving the character a vivid individuality that contrasted with the more naturalistic puppets introduced in later Anderson productions. Blundall’s grounding in traditional marionette theatre and his flair for bold, character‑driven design helped make Parker one of the most enduring figures in the Supermarionation canon.
