Real fish are definately out of the question... we used some kind of rubberized plastic sardine type things, I'm not sure where we got them... could have been a bait shop. I'll see if I can remember to ask.

It was definitely fake sardines that are normally used for fishing bait, and I do believe they might even have come from the local Walmart. Very realistic, with an appropriate rubbery wiggle. I played Dottie, and I just tromped right on 'em and made a face for the "squished fish" bit. The audience groaned appropriately even though nothing actually got squished. In rehearsal, they made a nice splatty sort of sound when they got dumped on my head from the second floor, too -- I doubt the audience ever heard it, though, they were laughing too hard.

I hate to say the same thing, but fishing lures are the way to go. You can get them in a package without the hooks. I think we even glued some to a couple of plates since there is so much action going on.

I actually ordered some from eBay for another show that we needed sardines for.  It was cheaper for me to order them in bulk than it was to order the smaller amounts at Walmart, etc.  However, the ones at Walmart and other sporting goods stores aren't that expensive if it's a shorter run.

Originally posted by tbaxter We're doing Noises Off in March and need to create several plates of sardines.  Any advice on what to make them out of?  I think using real fish is out of the question.