What's In a Name?

People often ask us where our name "Grey Seal Puppets" came from. Sometimes solicitors call on the phone asking for Grace Hill. Sometimes folks wonder why there aren't seals in our performances. Sometimes people think we're crusaders, bent on saving the seals of the world Sea Shepard-style.

It's really much more humble than that.

Back in my high school days, I was the youngest of four siblings. My two older brothers and one older sister were all away at college. My father's job involved a lot of travel and my mother very much fancied to go with him whenever she could.

This left me home alone a lot, which I really rather enjoyed. I owe my love of cooking to this time in my life. It was sort of a do or die type of situation. My mother would leave some food in the refrigerator along with detailed directions on how to prepare it. I loved toiling away at my creative cookery, often becoming adventurous and veering off the neatly supplied instructions. I took great delight in these culinary forays.

But that doesn't really have anything to do with the name of our company.

Many times these parental trips would span a weekend. This provided me with the perfect venue for some pretty awesome parties. High Schoolers, a weekend and a parent-free house. Modestly enough, I have to say these parties grew to legendary status.
It was during my ceremonious prep time for these parties, sort of my pre-party warm up if you will, that I would put on Elton John's now-classic double album, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." If you know the work then you know that buried in the deepest of cuts is a sort of mournful little tune called,of course, "Grey Seal."

I can't remember what I liked so much about this song that it drove me to name a fledgling little puppet company after it, but that's exactly what I did. Oh, back then we had a much loftier sounding moniker, "Grey Seal Productions Puppet Studio." Impressive, aye? Over the years it was thankfully shortened to a more manageable "Grey Seal Puppets."

So now you know. If you get the chance, take a listen to this catchy little tune. In the meantime, here's the lyrics, which were written by Bernie Taupin.

Why's it never light on my lawn
Why does it rain and never say good-day to the new-born
On the big screen they showed us a sun
But not as bright in life as the real one
It's never quite the same as the real one
chorus
And tell me grey seal
How does it feel to be so wise
To see through eyes
That only see what's real
Tell me grey seal
I never learned why meteors were formed
I only farmed in schools that were so warn and torn
If anyone can cry then so can I
I read books and draw life from the eye
All my life is drawings from the eye
[repeat chorus]
Your mission bells were wrought by ancient men
The roots were formed by twisted roots
Your roots were twisted then
I was re-born before all life could die
The Phoenix bird will leave this world to fly
If the Phoenix bird can fly then so can I
[repeat chorus]