Tributes paid to Lambert
Puppeteer Eugene Lambert, who has died suddenly aged 81, was remembered today as a master of his art.
The Sligo-born performer and star of TV show Wanderly Wagon die at his home in Monkstown, Co Dublin, late last night.
An early passion for puppets and ventriloquism became a lifelong career for Mr Lambert, who counted the late pop superstar Michael Jackson among his many fans.
The father-of-10, who was due to celebrate his 60th wedding anniversary with wife Mai this summer, opened his own Lambert Puppet Theatre in 1972 and was also a driving force behind the International Puppet Festival of Ireland.
Jackson befriended the veteran puppeteer after playing a concert in Dublin in 1992 and visited him again with his three children on his birthday in August 2007.
Emily Tully said her grandfather, who sang Happy Birthday through one of his puppets to Jackson, was a big fan of the pop star.
“If he meets Michael Jackson up there he’ll tell him ’I was a big supporter of you’, he was so proud of that visit,” she said.
Arts Minister Martin Cullen said Mr Lambert would be sadly missed.
“Eugene Lambert was a master of the art of puppetry and his place in Irish theatre is unparalleled, both in the quality and uniqueness of his work as a puppeteer and ventriloquist and for the longevity of his contribution,” he said.
“Eugene’s legacy will live on through his talented family. With the support of his wife Mai and family, he enriched the lives of both adults and children with such memorable work.”
Ms Tully said his death had come as a huge shock to his wife and eight remaining children.
“He was still working, he was never somebody who would retire,” she said.
“He’s left a real legacy, he was a legend really, and it was a great childhood for all of us – all of us have worked in the puppet theatre at some stage.
“He was a creative man and he loved children’s entertainment. He never wanted to do anything other than that.”
