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present their shows at two annual festivals.One of the theatres from this period is Paraplyteatret(The Umbrella Theatre). Founded as Ray Nusselein’sChildren’s Theatre in 1969, it was headed by RayNusselein (1944-1999) until his death. Nusselein, whogained international recognition with his poetic onemanshows, for example Min Altankasse (Mywindowbox) in which the puppets are made ofeveryday articles. The unique philosophical andeducational concept of playing for children thatpermeated Ray’s work has greatly influenced theartistic development of puppet theatre for children inDenmark. As described by Ray’s dramaturge andpersonal friend Biba Schwoon, “His shows emergedfrom the alternation between the idea, the visualexpression, and the language of emotions – the oneelement not without the others. Only when thesewere in place was it possible for the show to continueto develop, in interplay with its audience of children.”Another famous name in puppetry is Ole Bruun-Rasmussen, who is internationally acclaimed for hiswork as director, set designer, teacher and writerwithin this art form. In recent years Ole Bruun-Rasmussen has spent much time living and working inBurkina Faso. He now lives in Sweden and his theatreLife-Line Theater often performs in Denmark.In 1981 Tom Nagel Rasmussen and Catherine Poherformed Bjørneteatret (The Bear Theater), which usedpuppets and objects to create new visual forms oftheatre throughout the 80’s and 90’s until its closurein 2000.1983 saw the establishment of the association Enanden slags Teater – (Another Kind of Theater), and in1988 the present Danish UNIMA Centre wasrecognised. Today (2013), 45 professional puppettheatres and 10 amateur theatres are members of theUNIMA organisation.In the 1990’s, in the field of theater for adults, theinternationally renowned Odin Theatre turned toalternative expression with puppets and objects, as inItsi Bitsi, as did also Blå Hest (Blue Horse) from Århuswith ‘En dukkes erindringer’ (Memories of a Doll).Hans Rønne and Teatret (The Theater) broke newground in theatre for young people with his famousproduction ‘Springtime’. Since the mid-90’s, ThyUNIMA DanmarkTeater (The Theater of Thy) in Hanstholm, Jutland, hascreated large-scale puppet performances for adults,and educated puppet makers and puppeteers.During the 90’s in the growing field of professionalpuppet theatre for children, theatres began to ventureinto more aesthetic areas of visual expression, leavingmuch of the political and pedagogical approach of thepast behind.One of the most influential puppet theatres in thisrespect was, and still is, Teater Refleksion (TheaterReflection) in Århus, founded by former teacherBjarne Sandborg. Starting as a workshop this theatrehas constantly developed its sophisticated artistic stylein puppetry and animation up until the present day,with innovative and acclaimed shows such as ‘Prinsenog hans Tjener’ (The Prince and his Servant). Youngpuppeteers from the theater have continued theirstudies at various academies, and since founded theirown puppet and animation groups. I 2010 TeaterRefleksion moved to a new and beautiful location incentral Århus.Although not exclusively a puppet theatre, therenowned Gruppe 38 (Group 38) has neverthelesscreated brilliant and internationally acclaimed showsfor children using puppets and objects, for instance‘En lille Sonate’ (A Sonatina), as has also NørregaardsTeater, led by the experienced puppeteer, actor, anddirector Hans Nørregaard, whose shows are renownedfor their stories, puppetry, acting and use of livemusic. Since 2003 Hans Nørregaard has retired andsince 2011 Nørregaards Teater is located in Odense.Also Musikteatret Undergrunden (The Underground)has achieved much success by translating opera intopuppet theatre for both children and adults.Puppet theatre in Denmark has proved especially wellsuited for very small theatre-goers. Two Copenhagenbasedtheatres producing shows specialised in puppettheatre for toddlers and infants, are Teatret Månegøgl(Theater Moonfun), founded by Hanne Trolle in 1981,creating the popular character Pyt, and touringextensively abroad, and Teatret Lampe (The LampTheater), led by actor and puppeteer Anne Nøjgård,with its musical and dramatic puppet and objectinterpretations of H.C. Andersen tales, and itshandling of new, challenging themes for this agegroup. With their gentle, poetic puppet shows, Teatret9