WOKING.- Star Wars, Spitting Image, Labyrinth, Lost In Space, Little Shop of Horrors. All these classic films and shows benefited from the genius of puppeteer and puppet builder Phil Eason (1960-2021).

Now his collection of puppets and associated material is being sold in a dedicated auction at Ewbank’s on September 9.

Highlights include models of Lady Penelope and her chauffeur Parker hand-built by Eason as a tribute to Supermarionation series Thunderbirds, as well as production sketches, animation cels and original puppet moulds for commercial productions.

One of the most highly regarded puppeteers of his generation, Phil Eason had originally studied acting before working on several productions at the Polka Children’s Theatre in Wimbledon, a venue with a national reputation.

He then moved on to the Jim Henson Company, working on projects such as the 1986 film Labyrinth, starring David Bowie, Muppet Treasure Island, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Animal Farm and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

At the turn of the century he contributed to the success of the revived Star Wars franchise, bringing his animatronic skills to the character of Yaddle in The Phantom Menace.

TV work include numerous commercial campaigns, including The Honey Monster, who appeared in breakfast cereal adverts.

He even puppeteered real-time animated football stars for the 2014 World Cup.

In the revived Spitting Image series in 2020, Phil performed as Donald Trump.

As a puppet maker, Phil dedicated himself to the Supermarionation series of Gerry Anderson, creating replicas of puppet characters for private collections around the world.

“Phil Eason’s imagination and talent made a highly significant contribution to the critical success of film and TV shows alike across several decades,” says Ewbank’s specialist Alastair McCrea.

“His untimely death brought to an end an amazing body of work, not least his amazing models inspired by the Gerry Anderson series. This makes surviving creations like the Lady Penelope and Parker models all the more special.”