A marionette theatre gives a tiny sailor room for a bow. The puppeteer stands beside the stage, watching the wooden puppet while holding its control bars above and to the side. Strings remain visible between the controls and the small figure, keeping the mechanics within the story.

Mustard curtains, painted blue waves and a crescent-shaped stage prop establish a miniature seafaring world. Three empty chairs wait in front, while spare puppets and workshop furniture surround the performance area. The man's striped shirt and rust waistcoat sit comfortably beside the worn painted wood. Soft window light and small lamps bring his expression, the carved face and the stage textures into the same intimate scene.