puppets abroad low res - British UNIMA

INDEX
Ailie Cohen Puppet Maker 32
Animata – Stephen Mottram 17
Barking Dog – Nenagh Watson 35
Beady Eye Theatre – Kristin Fredricksson 32
Dan Bishop 22
Blind Summit Theatre 7
Bootworks Theatre 30
Branar Téatar do Pháistí 32
Rod Burnett 22
Clive Chandler 22
Richard Coombs 22
Cube Theatre 32
Ding Foundation 8
DNA Puppetry & Visual Theatre Company 9
Geoff Felix 22
Flabbergast Theatre 32
Folded Feather 9
Frolicked 32
Garlic Theatre 10
Gravy Boat 33
Green Ginger 11
Hand to Mouth Theatre 12
Horse + Bamboo Theatre Company 12
Indefinite Articles 13
Indigo Moon Theatre 14
Lempen Puppet Theatre Company 14
Les Enfants Terribles Theatre Company 33
Little Angel Theatre 18
Lyngo Theatre 16
Magic Book Theatre 33
Nautilus Theatre – Alexander Winfield 33
Jose Navarro 33
Neighbourhood Watch Stilts International 30
Noisy Oyster 30
Nutmeg Puppet Company 34
On The Other Hand Puppet Theatre
Company – Ken Haines 34
Pangolin’s Teatime 20
Pickled Image 15
Potato Room 20
Punch and Judy 22
Puppet Pool 34
Puppet (R)Evolution – Raven Kaliana 22
Puppet State Theatre Company 23
Shona Reppe Puppets 24
Matthew Robins 24
Robert Poulter’s New Model Theatre 34
Rouge28 Theatre 25
Rough Magic 34
Sketty 35
Robert Styles 22
The Fetch 35
Theatre-Rites 26
Thingumajig Theatre 28
Tortoise in a Nutshell 35
Unpacked 28
Vagabondi 35
Vision Mechanics 31
Wattle & Daub Figure Theatre 29
Puppets Abroad is published by British UNIMA and
the Puppet Centre Trust, September 2011.
Inclusion in this brochure does not constitute an
endorsement by either organisation.
Project administration Emma Leishman, PCT.
Cover designed by Dan Barber.

Puppets Abroad
Puppetry in Britain and Ireland today
ranges from puppets in opera, epic street
theatre and immersive installations to
Punch and Judy booths on the beach and
shadow shows in art galleries. Puppeteers
are collaborating with dancers, opera
singers, beat-boxers, jazz musicians,
museum curators, scientists and visual
artists. The collaborations have proved
very fruitful, producing rich performances
that explore emotional, political and
metaphysical worlds – for both adults
and children. This collection of puppet
companies reflects that wide range of
work.
While the companies included in this
brochure are based in England, Ireland,
Scotland and Wales, they demonstrate
the international nature of the artistic
scene: you’ll find puppeteers, designers
and directors from France, Germany,
Indonesia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Peru,
Spain and the United States who have all
made their homes in these islands. They
have experience of international touring
and an interest in showing their work
more widely.
These exchanges have been nourished
by a recent flowering of puppet festivals.
Alongside long-established festivals such
as the Edinburgh International Festival,
Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the London
International Mime Festival, we now
have festivals dedicated to puppetry
from around the world: Suspense
(London) and Manipulate (Edinburgh)
specialise in puppetry for adults, while the
International Puppet Festival Ireland and
the Bristol, Beverley and Skipton festivals
present shows for all ages.
We hope that you will enjoy this
introduction to some of Britain and
Ireland’s puppet companies and look
forward to meeting you at one of the
festivals soon.
Linda Lewis, Puppet Centre Trust
Eleanor Margolies, British UNIMA

Les marionnettes a l’étranger
De nos jours le théâtre de marionnette
au Royaume-Uni et en Irlande a investi
aussi bien l’opéra, le théâtre de rue que
des installations d’artistes contemporains.
On trouve aussi bien des spectacles de
Punch and Judy dans les stations balnéaires
que du théâtre d’ombres dans les galeries
d’art. Les marionnettistes s’associent avec
des danseurs, des chanteurs d’opéra, des
beat-boxers, des musiciens de jazz, des
conservateurs de musée, des scientifiques
et des plasticiens. Ces collaborations se
sont révélées fructueuses et ont produit
des créations complexes, lieux d’exploration
d’univers émotionnel, politique ou
métaphysique- aussi bien pour un public
d’adultes que d’enfants. La sélection de
compagnies britanniques de marionnettes
que nous présentons reflète ce large éventail
de créations.
Bien que basées en Angleterre, en Irlande,
en Ecosse ainsi qu’au Pays de Galles, les
compagnies présentées dans cette brochure
affichent la nature internationale de la scène
contemporaine britannique: on y trouve
des marionnettistes, des scénographes et
des metteurs en scène venant de France,
d’Allemagne, d’Indonésie, d’Italie, du Japon, de la
Nouvelle Zélande, du Pérou, d’Espagne et des
Etats-Unis d’Amérique. Elles ont l’expérience
des tournées internationales et la volonté de
présenter leurs spectacles dans davantage de
pays de par le monde.
L’essor de nouveaux festivals de
marionnettes depuis ces dernières années a
contribué au développement de ces échanges.
A coté de festivals établis de longue date
tels que le Festival International d’Edimbourg,
le Festival off d’Edimbourg et le Festival
International de Mime de Londres, il existe
maintenant des festivals consacrés aux
différents théâtres de marionnette: Suspense
à Londres et Manipulate à Edimbourg sont
tous deux spécialisés dans la marionnette pour
adulte, tandis que le Festival International de
Marionnette d’Irlande et les festivals de Bristol,
Beverley et Skipton présentent des spectacles
pour tous les ages.
Nous espérons que vous apprécierez cette
introduction à quelques-unes des compagnies
de marionnettes britanniques et irlandaises et
espérons vous rencontrer bientôt à l’occasion
d’un de ces festivals.
Puppen schwärmen aus!
Translated by Claire Doucet
Das heutige Puppenspiel in Großbritannien
und Irland reicht von Figurenspiel in Opern,
epischem Straßentheater und Installationen
zum Eintauchen bis hin zu Punch and Judy-
Buden am Strand und Schattenspiel in
Kunstgalerien. Puppenspieler kollaborieren mit
Tänzern, Opernsängern, Beat-Boxern, Jazz-
Musikern, Museumskuratoren, Wissenschaftlern
und bildenden Künstlern. Diese
Zusammenarbeit hat sich als sehr fruchtbar
erwiesen und vielschichtige Inszenierungen,
die emotionale, politische und metaphysische
Welten ausloten, hervorgebracht – für Kinder
und Erwachsene. Die hier präsentierte Auswahl
britischer Puppentheater spiegelt dieses weite
Spektrum wider.
Obwohl diese Theater alle in England,
Irland, Schottland und Wales ansässig sind,
zeigen sie anschaulich die internationale Natur
dieser künstlerischen Szene: man findet hier
Puppenspieler, Bildner und Regisseure aus
Deutschland, Frankreich, Indonesien, Italien, Japan,

Neuseeland, Peru, Spanien und den Vereinigten
Staaten, die auf diesen Inseln ihre Heimat
gefunden haben. Alle haben internationale
Gastspielerfahrung und ein großes Interesse,
ihre Arbeiten einem noch breiteren Publikum
vorzustellen.
Der Austausch wurde durch das erst
kürzliche Erblühen von Puppentheaterfestivals
genährt. Neben den lang etablierten Festivals
wie das Edinburgh International Festival,
Edinburgh Fringe Festival und London
International Mime Festival, gibt es nun Festivals,
die sich dem Figurenspiel aus aller Welt
widmen: Suspense (London) und Manipulate
(Edinburgh) zielen auf ein erwachsenes
Publikum, während die Programme des
International Puppet Festival Ireland und
der Festivals in Bristol, Beverley und Skipton
Publikum jeden Alters ansprechen.
Wir hoffen, dass diese Vorstellung einiger
Puppen- und Figurentheater Großbritanniens
und Irlands euch gefällt und hoffen euch bald
auf einem der Festivals zu treffen.
Títeres en el extranjero
Translated by Christiane Klatt
En la actualidad, los títeres de Gran Bretaña
e Irlanda abarcan desde títeres en la ópera,
representaciones de teatro épico en la calle,
instalaciones inmersivas, a las marionetas en la
playa de Punch y Judy, así como espectáculos
de sombras en galerías de arte. Asimismo, los
titiriteros colaboran con bailarines, cantantes
de ópera, percusionistas vocales, músicos
de jazz, comisarios de museos, científicos
y artistas visuales. Colaboraciones que han
demostrado ser muy fructíferas, dando lugar a
brillantes actuaciones que exploran el universo
emocional, político y metafísico de los adultos
y niños. Esta muestra de compañías de títeres
refleja esta amplia gama de trabajo.
Aunque las compañías de títeres incluidas
en este catálogo tienen sede en Inglaterra,
Irlanda, Escocia y Gales, también son un
ejemplo de la naturaleza internacional de
la escena artística, puesto que trabajan
con titiriteros, diseñadores y directores de
Alemania, España, Francia, Indonesia, Italia, Japón,
Nueva Zelanda, Perú y los Estados Unidos que
han convertido estas islas en su hogar. Ellos nos
traen la experiencia de haber realizado giras
internacionales, así como un gran interés en
mostrarnos extensamente su trabajo.
Estos intercambios se han visto
enriquecidos con el reciente florecimiento de
los festivales de títeres. Junto a los festivales
ya establecidos hace mucho tiempo, como el
Festival Internacional de Edimburgo, el Festival
Alternativo de Edimburgo y el Festival de
Mimo Internacional de Londres, contamos
ahora con la presencia de festivales dedicados
a los títeres de todo el mundo: El Festival
Suspense (Londres) y el Festival Manipulate
(Edimburgo) especializados en títeres para
adultos, mientras que el Festival Internacional
de Títeres de Irlanda, y los festivales de Bristol,
Beverley y Skipton presentan espectáculos para
todas las edades.
Esperamos que disfrute con esta
presentación de algunas de las compañías de
títeres de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda y asimismo
esperamos verle pronto en alguno de los
festivales.
Translated by Gema Rodriguez
Linda Lewis, Puppet Centre Trust
Eleanor Margolies, British UNIMA

Puppets Abroad
6

Blind Summit Theatre
www.blindsummit.com
Blind Summit Theatre are purveyors of
‘extreme puppetry’. The company was founded
in 1997 by Mark Down and Nick Barnes to
present Japanese Bunraku-style puppetry in
new places, in new ways. Their shows include
Mr China's Son, Martin's Wedding, The Spaceman
and Pirate Puppetry. Their Bukowski-inspired
Low Life debuted in Edinburgh Fringe in 2005
and toured the world for five years with the
British Council. They collaborated with Anthony
Minghella on his award-winning Madam
Butterfly in London and New York. Other
collaborators include Complicite, Tectonic
Theatre, Akram Khan and Royal Opera House.
Their new show The Table will open the
London International Mime Festival 2012.
'If puppetry is ever to be the next rock'n'roll,
these animators may well be its frontmen.'
Time Out
'Brilliantly compulsive pissed up puppetry for
grown ups.' British Theatre Guide
'Exquisite.' The Times
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Shows available for touring
Low Life (60 mins): a gin-soaked cabaret of
people and puppets. 6 on the road – cast 4,
crew 2.
1984 (140 mins): a witty sweaty low-tech
adaptation of George Orwell's brilliant political
satire. 10 on road – cast 7, crew 2.
The Table (70 mins): a Beckett-inspired story of
a puppet stuck on a table.
Contact details
Blind Summit Theatre
Unit 10, Grenville Workshops, 2a Grenville
Road, London, N19 4EH
maeve@blindsummit.com
+44 (0) 20 7272 9020
7

Puppets Abroad
The Ding Foundation
www.thedingfoundation.com
The Ding Foundation makes visual theatre using puppets, objects, sound, physical performance
and music. They have made three productions (Being a Bird, Unexploded Bomb and Hanging by a
Thread) that sit between visual art and theatre, employing a strong sense of physicality expressed
through the creation of moving images and sound worlds. They have performed at the Traverse,
Edinburgh, Little Angel Theatre, The Unity, Liverpool, Bath Puppet Festival, Visions Festival, Brighton
and abroad at the Torun Puppet Festival, Dordrecht Micro Festival and the Warsaw School of
Puppetry. The work is devised and performed by Amelia Pimlott and Hannah Marshall.
‘…where the rich world of puppetry is headed next…intensely moving’
Joyce Macmillan, The Scotsman on Hanging by a Thread
Amelia Pimlott
62 Holcombe Road, London N17 9AR
+44 (0) 208 8084926
+ 44 (0) 7939 522519
thedingfoundation@yahoo.co.uk
8

DNA Puppetry & Visual Theatre
www.dynamicnewanimation.co.uk
Established in 1994, DNA devises and
develops its performance through the physical
capabilities of the puppets, objects and
set design, to create an action-based stage
dynamic. DNA creates experiential learning
performances for early years, draws upon
traditional tales in its work for children, and
historical research in its work for youth and
adults.
‘DNA’s wonderful blend of classic tales is one
of the best children’s shows touring the UK’
The West End Centre
Chicken Licken is DNA’s most popular
production, touring nationally & internationally
for over ten years. The production is a oneman
show performed in English, French or
Spanish.
dna@dynamicnewanimation.co.uk
+44 (0)161 408 1720
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Folded Feather
www.richardsonprm.com
Based in London, Folded Feather is at the
forefront of the UK puppetry scene, with a
growing reputation for the creation of unique
and exciting productions. The company has
been invited to Edinburgh Festival Fringe,
Fusion Festival Germany, Festival Rodara
Mexico, Puppetbuskersfestival Belgium, Festival
of Contemporary European Theatre Germany,
Suspense London Puppetry Festival, and the
Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes.
A combination of the talents of puppeteer
Oliver Smart and musician/puppeteer Matt
Short, Folded Feather was formed in 2007.
‘Absolutely exquisite.’ Total Theatre
‘Outstanding.’ Time Out London
Suitcase Circus (60 mins, 2 performers)
Life Still (60 mins, 2 performers + technician)
Helena Richardson, 57A Leahurst Road, Hither
Green, London SE13 5HX
+44 (0) 20 8318 9365 or +44 (0) 7931 801091
skype: helena.richardson
9

Puppets Abroad
Garlic Theatre
www.garlictheatre.org.uk
Founded in 1997, Garlic Theatre uses image,
puppet animation, movement and music. The
company specializes in thought-provoking
puppet theatre for young people which is also
stimulating and exciting for adults. Shows have
toured extensively throughout the UK and in
international puppet festivals in 16 countries,
including Singapore, Brazil, Italy and Denmark.
Mark Pitman and Iklooshar Malara work with
guest director Steve Tiplady (Indefinite Articles)
and designer Michaela Bartonova (Tineola
Theatre) in a collaborative artistic process.
10
‘Mark Pitman and Iklooshar Malara run one of
England’s best companies in the field’. Penny
Francis
‘The whole show burst at the seams with
creativity and innovation.’ Jim Hutchon on
Fiddlesticks
Shows available for touring
Fiddlesticks (50 mins)
Puppets made from old instruments spring to
life: birds fly out from music scores, a horse
emerges from the bow of a violin.
One performer
Age 4+
George and the Dragon (45 mins)
Two performers
Age 5+
The Magnificent Flying Machine (50 mins)
One performer
Age 4+
Contact details
Mark Pitman and Iklooshar Malara
15 Church Lane, Wicklewood,
Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 9QH
+44 (0)1953 609141
garlictheatre@virginmedia.com

Green Ginger
www.greenginger.net
Green Ginger is based in Bristol, UK and
Wiseppe, France, creating award-winning
theatre and films since its formation in 1978.
The company prides itself on accessibility
and flexiblity, and has performed in places
as diverse as the Arctic regions, Soweto and
Palestinian refugee camps.
‘There is always something wonderfully
anarchic about Green Ginger’s work, an
inspired mix of art and lunacy. So different from
almost anything else you’re ever likely to see in
the theatre... a rare and wonderful thing. ‘ The
Guardian
‘Psychologically astute and caustically comic.’
New York Times
Shows available for touring
Regenerator (24 hours+ non-stop) A touring
installation featuring advanced robotic
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
engineering alongside lo-fi puppetry.
Mac et le Géant (35 mins) Terry Lee’s one-man
show, in French with dark English humour.
Gaston (25 mins) Gaston creates instant
caricatures which he gives away. He has
performed in 12 languages across four
continents.
Contact details
Green Ginger (UK), Tobacco Factory Theatre,
Raleigh Rd, Bristol, BS3 1TF
+44 (0)117 9225599 or +44 (0)7977 465 850
mail@greenginger.net
Les Green Ginger (France), 8, Rue du
Montorgeuil, Wiseppe, 55700 France
+33 615 67 97 25
lesgreenginger@gmail.com
11

Puppets Abroad
Hand to Mouth Theatre
www.handtomouth.co.uk
Established in 1982, we create original high
quality theatre with puppets for local, national
and international audiences. Our policy is to
produce ‘intelligent popular theatre’. We have
performed at festivals and theatres in Russia,
Middle East, South Korea, USA (three tours)
and all over Europe. Our work is mostly nonverbal,
but we can use some French, German
and Spanish. All music is performed live.
‘The best hand puppet show I’ve ever seen.’
Eric Bass, director of Sandglass Theatre
‘A fantastic, magical, mythical and multilayered
show.’ Sid Langley, Birmingham Post
Piggery Jokery (30 mins) 2 performers
This versatile show can be performed in any
space, indoors or outdoors.
Martin Bridle and Su Eaton,
51 Arnold Road, Southampton, SO17 1TF
+44 (0) 2380 555392
htmtheatre@btopenworld.com
12
Horse + Bamboo
www.horseandbamboo.org
Horse + Bamboo Theatre Company have been
making and touring high quality visual theatre
for over 30 years. Horse + Bamboo’s audiences
leave with a mind full of lasting images that can
rarely be compared to anything seen before or
after. Our work is mostly non-verbal.
Joint Artistic Directors Alison Duddle and
Bob Frith use images and Loz Kaye and Chris
Davies provide music to tell great stories. We
have toured extensively in Spain, Hungary,
Belgium, the Netherlands and Romania.

Storm in a Teacup (45mins) 2 performers
for age 4+
Red Riding Hood (45mins) 2 performers
for age 4+
Angus (1hour 40 with interval) 4 performers
for older children and adults
Horse + Bamboo Theatre
679 Bacup Rd, Waterfoot, Rossendale,
Lancashire, BB4 7HB
+44 (0)1706 220241
info@horseandbamboo.org
Indefinite Articles
www.indefinitearticles.co.uk
Indefinite Articles Theatre Company was
started in 1995 by sculptor Sally Todd and
puppeteer Steve Tiplady. We devise theatre for
all ages using objects, materials and shadows.
At the heart of our work is the transformation
of ordinary and everyday things into the
extraordinary. The company has performed
nationally and internationally: Henson Puppet
Festival, New York, Lutke Ljubljana, Porto,
Hundesdag Festival. Halle, National Theatre
Mexico, Theatralia Festival Madrid, Royal
National Theatre, Beirut Arab Puppet Theatre.
‘Wonderful work that celebrates the
possibilities of theatre.’ Guardian
‘Amazing…the elements of dust and light
have joined with storytelling to extend the
boundaries of theatre.’ The Times
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Claytime (1 hour 20 mins) 3-7 years.
Improvised stories animated with clay. 2/3
performers.
Pinocchio (1 hour) 4-11 years.
Told with real tools from a carpenter’s
workshop. 2 performers.
The Magic Lamp (50 mins) Age 4+.
Aladdin – a shadow show in the round, using
paper and oil. 2 performers.
The Chalk Giants (50 mins) Age 6+. An English
folk tale in chalk and shadows, 3 performers.
Penumbra (1 hour 10 mins) for age 16+. An
exploration of desire and decay using the
human body and shadow. 2 performers.
Sally Todd and Steve Tiplady, 8 High Street,
Grantchester, CB3 9NF
+44 (0)1223 840792
sally.connie.todd@gmail.com/tipladysg@aol.com
13

Puppets Abroad
Indigo Moon Theatre
www.indigomoontheatre.com
Inspired by European and Asian traditions,
puppeteer Anna Ingleby combines lifelike
movement with music by composer Haviel
Perdana to create contemporary interactive
family shows with global influences. Touring
for over ten years includes Northern Ireland,
Scotland, the Little Angel Puppet Theatre,
Norwich Puppet Theatre, Barcelona, Singapore
and Indonesia. Shows use minimal language
and can be adapted for different languages,
particularly French, German or Indonesian.
‘A small children’s theatre company that makes
a big impact.’ William Wilson, Director of Lyth
Arts Centre, Scotland.
Aladdin (50 mins) age 4+
2 performers. Large scale shadow theatre.
14
Alice & the White Rabbit (50 mins) age 4+
2 performers. Large scale shadow theatre.
The Lost Forest (50 mins) age 5+
2 performers. Wayang Golek rod puppetry,
digital projection and shadows.
The Worm that Squirmed (50 mins) age 5+
2 performers. Wayang Golek, rod puppetry and
shadows.
Saraswati (15 mins)
2 performers. Dancing marionette from
Rajasthan, accompanied by live sitar or tabla
Anna Ingleby, 35 Waltham Court, Beverley,
East Yorkshire, HU17 9JF
+44 (0) 1482 867646
+44 (0) 7855 328552
info@indigomoontheatre.com
Lempen Puppet Theatre
www.lempen.co.uk
Lempen Puppet Theatre Company, founded
in 1987, is one of Britain’s great touring
theatre companies. They tour all over the
UK, and have appeared in Ireland, Austria,
Germany, Switzerland,, Greece, Finland, France,
Italy, Denmark and the Czech Republic. They
specialise in modern myths that connect the
imagination to real and contemporary issues,
underlined with original music, producing
entertaining, quality theatre for children and
family audiences. Main shows can be performed
in English or German and street shows in English,
French, German, Italian, Finnish and Danish.

‘A simple idea … created with such loving
care and attention to detail that you just have
to smile. Sometimes three minutes is all that’s
needed!’ Dorothy Max Prior, Animations Online
Journey Of Turtle (50 mins) 1 performer
With shadows, table-top puppets and
storytelling. Family/ age 5+
The Amazing Thing (50 mins) 1 performer
A journey through well-known tales, told with
puppets, acting and live music. Family/ age 5+
Ugly Beauty (50 mins) 1 performer
Melo sits alone by the sea. A beautiful princess
pushes him in the mud! Puppetry, shadows and
original music. Family/ age 5+
Theatre For One (3min shows) 1 or 2
performers. Street theatre with a difference
– for one at a time. Family/ age 4+
28 Belgrave Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire,
BD23 1QB
+44 (0) 1756 797 149
lempen@lempen.co.uk
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Pickled Image
www.pickledimage.co.uk
Pickled Image has toured the world with sellout
productions for the past ten years. Houdini’s
Suitcase won the People’s Jury Prize in Brazil
in 2007. We created and directed Hunger
with Tinkerting and Nordland Visual Theatre,
nominated for a Golden Award (Norway).
Little Edie (2 performers; 1 technician)
Made in collaboration with Nordland Visual
Theatre, Little Edie is a show about love, loss
and a mother-daughter relationship, aimed at an
adult audience with Pickled Image’s trademark
style of gloriously dark humour, wonderful
puppets and set.
+44 (0)117 930 0201
+44 (0)7974 147 521
mail@pickledimage.co.uk
15

Puppets Abroad
Lyngo Theatre
www.lyngo.co.uk
Patrick Lynch is the artistic director and
principal actor while Marcello Chiarenza is
the director and designer, with Cialdo Capelli
composing all the music. Creatively rooted
in Italy and touring since 2003, Lyngo make
interactive shows inspired by ‘arte povera’ and
‘object theatre’. Lyngo have toured to major
venues such as the Unicorn in London, the
Citizen’s in Glasgow, Theatre Royal Bath, the
Lowry in Manchester and the New Victory
in New York and to festivals in Edinburgh,
Baborò, Dublin International and the EuroFest
in Washington.
‘Lyngo know the score when it comes to
producing shows for the very young…
delightful.’ The Stage
‘Captivating.’ British Theatre Guide
‘A celebration of theatre itself.’ Glasgow Herald
16
Shows available for touring
Tom Thumb and The Dust Man
Both for age 5+ (50 mins) 1 actor
Watch the Birdy and The Fish’s Wishes
Both for age 3+ (45 mins) 1 actor
Room in the Sky and Snow Play
Both for age 5+ (50 mins) 2 actors
Hansel and Gretel
Ages 5+, 1 hour, 2 actors
Egg and Spoon
Ages 1-5, 40 minutes, 1 actor
Circus Minimus and What a Wonderful World
Both for age 2-5 (40 mins) 1 actor
Contact details
6 Hilltop Avenue, Cults, Aberdeen, AB15 9RJ
+44 (0) 7957 134943
patrick@lyngo.co.uk

Stephen Mottram’s Animata
The company, formed in 1988, tours a number
of performances using predominantly string
puppets and contemporary music for adult
audiences. There is no text, so no language
barrier. Best known of these, after tours in
18 countries, is The Seed Carriers which has
marionettes and automata combined with
electroacoustic music by Glyn Perrin.
‘His artistry is formidable, like his imagination.
I have never before seen the eeriness of
marionettes combined so insistently with
dread’. The Times
‘Mottram’s work draws its inspiration from
sculpture, mime and dance and its powerful
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
atmospheric quality is totally captivating.’ Plays
and Players
‘A richly suggestive encounter, Organillo
promises to hypnotise audiences through
the nooks and crannies of their unconscious.’
Time Out
Shows available for touring
The Seas Of Organillo: a sensual and poetic
glimpse at the science of fertility with
electroacoustic music by Sebastian Castagna.
In Suspension: six short marionette pieces for
adult audiences, performed on an open stage
by Stephen Mottram. The music is by Glyn
Perrin, Simon Waters and Pete McPhail.
Eggbird: a children’s version of In Suspension.
Contact details
Stephen Mottram, 31 New High Street,
Headington, Oxford, OX3 7AJ
+44 (0)1865 742587
stephen.mottram@virgin.net
17

Puppets Abroad
Little Angel Theatre
The Little Angel Theatre has established an
unparalleled reputation in the UK for quality
productions of puppetry in the 50 years since
it was founded by John and Lyndie Wright.
The company has a reputation for producing
outstanding work for both children and adults
including Venus And Adonis and The Tempest,
18
both collaborations with the RSC, and recent
adaptations of Alice in Wonderland and Petrushka.
Peter Glanville has been Artistic Director since
2006. International transfers include Fantastic Mr
Fox (Manitoba, Canada) and The Mouse Queen
(New Victory, New York).

Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Shows available for touring
Alice In Wonderland
Age 5+
4 puppeteers
1 hour 15 mins
The Tempest
Age 7+
Co-produced with the
Royal Shakespeare Company
7 performers
1 hour 20 mins
A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
For adults and children 5+
in association with Kneehigh Theatre
4 puppeteers
1 hr 15 mins
The Magician’s Daughter
Age 3-6
2 puppeteers
40 mins
Contact details
Miranda Pitcher miranda@littleangeltheatre.com
Peter Glanville peter@littleangeltheatre.com
14 Dagmar Passage, off Cross Street,
London, N1 2DN
+44 (0) 207 359 8581
www.youtube.com/user/TheLittleATheatre
www.littleangeltheatre.com
19

Puppets Abroad
Pangolin’s Teatime
www.pangolinsteatime.com
Pangolin’s Teatime, established in Edinburgh
in 2006, presents new writing through
experimental and traditional puppetry. We
primarily create work for adults, using direct
manipulation, table-top, shadow, rod and glove
puppets. Pangolin’s has toured throughout the
UK and at festivals including the Edinburgh
Festival, Suspense, and Manipulate.
‘Ingenious and innovative.’ The Scotsman
‘Clearly one to watch.’ The Stage
The Great Puppet Horn (60 mins) Cutting
comedy from the UK’s leading satirical shadow
puppet show. Age 15+. 2 performers
Haozkla (60 mins) Age 8+. 8 performers
Jeremy Bidgood, 62B Kentish Town Road,
London, NW1 9PU
+44 (0) 7718209837
info@pangolinsteatime.com
20
Potato Room
www.potatoroom.co.uk
Potato Room productions was created in
2010 by Gavin Glover, formerly a co-director
of FaultyOptic Theatre of Animation. Still
dark and humorous, cruel and experimental,
Gavin Glover’s work includes actors and nontraditional
puppetry, prerecorded video and
roving camera techniques. 2011 tours include:
London International Mime Festival, BIAM
Paris, Stamsund International Theatre Festival,
Norway, Charleville Mézières, France.
‘This is an important work of art, not a
requiem to Faulty Optic but a glimpse of
adult puppetry’s future.’ Matthew Isaac Cohen
Animations Online
‘Freakish puppets and fizzing ideas.’ The Stage
‘Alive and piercing.’ Total Theatre
Flogging a dead horse (1hour 20mins)
In English or French. 2 performers.

Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Gavin Glover
mrgavinglover@gmail.com
Skype: gavinglover
+44 (0)161 4083 808 (UK)
+32 (0)484 653 682 (Belgium)
21

Puppets Abroad
Punch and Judy Professors
Celebrating his 350th birthday in 2012, Mr.
Punch is the UK’s oldest and most famous
puppet character. Popular with both children and
adults, the traditional story of Punch and his wife
Judy, a crocodile and a string of sausages is told
using hand puppets and slapstick comedy.
Robert Styles
Performing since 1980, Styles is a secondgeneration
Punch & Judy man who has
travelled throughout the UK and to festivals
in Marseille, Provence, Mistelbach, Segovia,
Salamanca, Frankfurt, Halle, Vienna, Wels and
Lubeck, as well as throughout Japan.
46a Naylor Road, London SE15 1QQ
+44 (0) 207 358 1708
+44 (0) 7950 784511
robpunch@hotmail.com
www.robertstyles.com
Rod Burnett
www.storyboxtheatre.co.uk
Dan Bishop
+44 (0)1822 613957
danandemmabishop@tiscali.co.uk
22
Clive Chandler
+44 (0) 121 441 5694
www.tiptoppuppets.co.uk
Richard Coombs
+44 (0)1283 792959
www.richardcoombs.co.uk
Geoff Felix
+44 (0) 8903 3869
www.geofffelix.com
Puppet (R)Evolution
http://puppetrevolution.co.uk
Writer/director/puppet maker Raven Kaliana
established Puppet (R)Evolution in 2008, with
Luke Wallens joining as Assistant Director
in 2010. The critically acclaimed Hooray for
Hollywood, an expose of the child pornography
industry will feature at the Charleville Festival
in 2011. Fragile/Sacred tours to the Czech
Republic and Denmark in 2011, and premieres
in London at the Suspense Festival.

‘Full marks for audacity’ Time Out
Fragile/Sacred (50 mins) Age 13+
4 puppeteer/actors, 1 musician
Hooray for Hollywood Age 18+
(40 mins + 30 mins post-show discussion)
5 puppeteer/actors, 1 musician
Raven Kaliana, 167 Hermitage Road, Omega
Works Unit 3K, London, N4 1LZ
puppetrev@hotmail.co.uk
+44 (0) 7504346565
Puppet State Theatre Company
www.puppetstate.com
Puppet State Theatre Company, based in
Edinburgh, was founded by Richard Medrington.
After performing his one-man puppet shows
for 20 years he joined forces with Rick Conte
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
and Ailie Cohen in 2006. The Man Who Planted
Trees has toured across the UK and Ireland as
well as in Malaysia, Bermuda, the Netherlands,
USA, Canada and Australia, and in a French
version at the 2011 Charleville-Mézières World
Puppetry Festival.
‘Laughs, heartbreak, war, regeneration, scented
breezes, sparkling wit, the best dog puppet ever.
Perfect for children and grown-ups. Terrific.’
The Guardian
The Man Who Planted Trees (65 mins) Age 7+
In English with some French.
40/1 Woodhall Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0DU
http://puppetstateblog.wordpress.com
elspeth@puppetstate.com
+44 (0) 131 441 9693
+44 (0) 7595 930624
23

Puppets Abroad
Shona Reppe Puppets
www. shonareppepuppets.co.uk
Since 1997, Shona Reppe Puppets has been
dedicated to creating highly visual small-scale
solo puppet productions for children and their
families. Cinderella has toured all over the world
including the Sydney Opera House, the New
Victory Theatre, New York, Japan, Belgium,
France, Israel and the UK. Awards include a
Total Theatre Award 2002.
‘Cinderella is a magical and mischievous delight;
combining simple storytelling with lush and
inventive images’. nytheatre.com 2009
‘I defy anyone of any age not to be
entertained…witty, clever and superbly
performed.’ Edinburgh Guide
24
Cinderella (47 mins) Age 5+
Olga Volt The Electric Fairy (45 mins) Age 7+
Potato Needs a Bath (45 mins) Age 2 – 5years
Shona Reppe Puppets
c/o Paul Fitzpatrick, Catherine Wheels Theatre
Company, The Brunton Theatre, Ladywell Way,
Musselburgh, EH21 6AA
shonareppepuppets@googlemail.com
Matthew Robins
www.sadlucy.com
Matthew has had works commissioned by
the Barbican and the National Theatre in
London, and the Waterfront in Belfast, and has
performed his shows across Europe, including
at Tate Britain and the closing night of the
Aosta Valley choral festival.

‘Silhouettes that have something of the deft wit
of Picasso sketches.’ The Guardian
‘Incomparably eldritch shadow puppets:
snipped with gothic delicacy from black paper,
their crooked fingers reach directly into your
imagination.’ Time Out
Flyboy, Sad Lucy and other Stories
Artist and musician Matthew Robins tells the
story of Flyboy, half-boy/half-fly, in a series
of romantic science-fiction shadow-puppet
operas. Singing and performing live on stage
with his band, Matthew projects his intricate
paper cut-outs and home-made cardboard
animations onto the big-screen. Running time:
100 minutes including interval, but can be
tailored to fit specific requirements. Performed
in English, but highly visual.
Matthew Robins, 21a Prairie Street, London,
UK, SW8 3PL
+44 (0) 207 4984617
+44 (0)7929 673231
someone@sadlucy.com
Rouge28 Theatre
www.rouge28theatre.co.uk
Founded in 2005, Rouge28 is a company of
international theatre artists based in London.
We fuse life-sized puppets, paper theatre,
and new technologies to produce original
and intriguing visual theatre. Urashima Taro
has toured England since 2010 and has been
selected for the World Festival of Puppet
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Theatres (Charleville-Mézières), Skipton
International Puppet Festival, and Decibel
Performing Arts Showcase (Manchester).
‘Rouge28’s true magic is in the simple
moments.’ Matt Jackson, Animations Online
‘Both magical and sad.’ Louise Costelloe-Ward
and Hanna Leaper, Nerves
Urashima Taro (55 mins) tells the story of a
poor fisherman seduced by a mysterious and
cruel turtle-woman. This solo performance
explores power, seduction and death, with
an underlying sense of humour. Inspired by
Japanese mythology, it fuses stunning visuals
with human-size puppets and paper theatre.
In Japanese and English. Recorded narration
available in several languages. Age: 14+.
Paul Piris, 164 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HB
+44 (0) 208 693 0070
+44 (0) 795 172 8330
paul@rouge28theatre.co.uk
25
Photo: Monika Kita

Puppets Abroad
Theatre-Rites
www.theatre-rites.co.uk
Theatre-Rites is one of Britain’s leading theatre
companies, creating touring performances
and site-specific events with puppetry at their
heart. Led by renowned visual theatre maker
Sue Buckmaster, they produce work that has
been stirring the imagination of children and
adults alike since 1995. The company combines
puppetry and object manipulation with
different artforms including dance, live music
and visual arts in order to present children
with unusual and exceptional contemporary
imagery. The work has little or no script and
is suitable for international touring. As well
as creating middle-scale tours the company
is experienced at delivering commissions
that respond directly to specific locations or
festival themes. Previous critically acclaimed
productions include the site-specific Paradise,
commissioned by the Ruhrtriennale Festival,
and the award-winning Mischief (pictured
opposite) which has toured three times
including performances at Mercat de les Flors
in Barcelona and the New Victory in New York.
‘Its new touring show is one of the best times
I’ve had in a theatre all year.’
The Times on Mischief
26
Show available for touring
MOJO
A Theatre-Rites, Barbican and Salzburg Festival
co-production. Premiering at the Barbican
Christmas 2011. Available for touring from
August 2012.
An enchanting new presentation for the whole
family, a riot of dance, puppetry and music
takes us on a spectacular journey through the
magic and mayhem of growing up. Bursting
with energy and evocative movement, objects
come to life and characters discover their
mojo, igniting stunning visual transformations
devised by the award-winning team of Arthur
Pita and Sue Buckmaster. A dynamic ensemble
including world jazz percussionist Adriano
Adewale, blues/folk, jazz singer, trumpeter and
guitarist Leo Altarelli, dancers and puppeteers
enliven this extraordinary world.
80 minutes, no interval.
Suitable for ages 5+
Contact details
Theatre-Rites, Unit 612 Erlang House, 128
Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8EQ
+44(0)20 7928 4875
info@theatre-rites.co.uk

Photo: Patrick Baldwin
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
27

Puppets Abroad
Thingumajig Theatre
www.thingumajig.info
Thingumajig Theatre creates innovative puppet
plays, interactive giant puppets and spectacular
community events. Based in West Yorkshire,
England, their plays and giant puppets have
performed throughout the UK and USA and
at festivals in Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Canada,
Korea and Taiwan.
‘Spectacular integration of movement, music
and set design. Both artists were unmatched
in their performing skills.’ On The Vertigo of
Sheep, awarded the UNIMA-USA Citation of
Excellence.
Hippochondriac (45 mins)
A walkabout giant hippopotamus with puppet
shows built into the body of the puppet.
For all ages. Two performers; live music.
Hullaba Lulu (50 mins)
An eccentric couple travels the world in a
28
quirky land-boat, until their lives are turned
upside down by the adorable and colourful
Lulu. For ages 5+. Two performers; live music;
no spoken language.
The Vertigo of Sheep (65 mins)
A well-meaning but unreliable clown attempts
to explain the Book of Genesis through
household objects, puppets, physical theatre
and live music, For adult audiences. Two
performers; live music.
Thingumajig Theatre
9 Ashenhurst Road, Todmorden, West
Yorkshire, OL14 8EB
+44 (0) 1706 812645
info@thingumajig.info
Unpacked
www.unpacked.org
Unpacked is a touring theatre company
exploring theatrical storytelling through
performance, live music, interaction with the
audience, a distinctive puppetry aesthetic and
robust physicality. Formed in 2004, the five
core members met and trained at the Central
School of Speech and Drama. Unpacked create
work for both children and adult audiences.
‘Unpacked make the mundane magical.’ The
Argus (on Robin and The Big Freeze)
‘Absolute theatrical brilliance.’ Total Theatre (on
Funeral Games)

Robin and The Big Freeze (60 mins)
5 performers.
Jumping Mouse (65 mins)
4 performers. In English.
From June 2012: The Serpent (60 mins)
5 performers.
Gilbert Taylor, 3 Cissbury Road, Hove, East
Sussex, UK, BN3 6EN
+44 (0) 7903018310
contact@unpacked.org
Wattle & Daub Figure Theatre
www.wattleanddaub.co.uk
Wattle & Daub Figure Theatre is a Bristolbased
puppetry and visual theatre company
that plays with strange structures, striking
imagery and the interconnections of puppet
and puppeteer. Their debut show, Triptych,
fuses innovative storytelling and original music,
featuring a 4-piece jazz combo with directmanipulation
and life-size puppetry, shadow
play and masks, in their signature rough-hewn
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
style. Wattle & Daub Figure Theatre was
formed in 2009 by Tobi Poster and Laura
Purcell Gates.
‘This bright new company is one to watch.’
Kate Yedigaroff, Co-Artistic Director, Mayfest
Triptych (1 hour) 2 performers
Tobi Poster, Wattle & Daub Figure Theatre, c/o
Puppet Place, Unit 18, Albion Dockside Estate,
Hanover Place, Bristol, BS1 6UT
+44 (0) 7855 804526
tobi@wattleanddaub.co.uk
29

Puppets Abroad
STREET THEATRE
Bootworks Theatre
Bootworks Theatre is a group of multidisciplinary
artists committed to creating
innovative theatre and performance for unusual
locations. The ‘Black Box’ is an innovative
theatre installation for an audience of two
people at a time. The audience members sit
inside the box, while the company performs
around the outside. The show is seen through a
series of opening and closing shutters, and can
be viewed from inside or outside.
The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers
(5 mins, for one young person and parent or
guardian). 5 performers.
Becki Haines, Bootworks Theatre c/o Battersea
Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, Battersea, London
SW11 5TN
+44 (0)7732 818401
becki@bootworkstheatre.co.uk
www.bootworkstheatre.co.uk
Neighbourhood Watch Stilts International &
Soznak
Neighbourhood Watch Stilts International
specialise in large and small scale street
theatre. NWSI have been working with giant
puppetry for 15 years and have performed in
40 countries worldwide. NWSI predominantly
perform with concealed puppeteers, but
also utilise suspension puppets and other
puppets, usually performed from within by
10 or 11 puppeteers. We have launched and
provided fi nales for major festivals worldwide.
www.nwsi.co.uk/archive documents our history.
30
No words used. Soznak, the band, performs
songs in Ncongo, Lingala, Zulu-natal, French,
Portuguese, and English.
Les Oiseaux de lux: interactive street
intervention. 3-22 performers. 25mins; up to 3
shows per day. An invasion of giant birds.
The Butterfl y Collection: interactive street
intervention. 3-7 performers. 30 mins; up to 3
shows per day. An invasion of giant butterfl ies.
Dali and Gala: giant infl atable puppet dancers. 4
performers.10 mins; up to 3 shows per day.
The Caterpillar: giant infl atable puppet. 10
performers.15 mins; up to 2 shows per day.
Sid the spider: giant infl atable puppet. 11
performers. 15 mins.
Chromarama: arena spectacle.14 performers. 25
mins; up to 2 shows per day.
Grand Magix. 25 performers. 35 mins. Stilts,
infl atables, helium-suspended aerial puppetry
and performance pyrotechnics.
Taranta. 53 performers. 50 mins. Stilts,
infl atables, helium-suspended aerial puppetry
and pyrotechnics. An urban invasion/
hallucination of spiders and insect life set to
fl amenco and the ‘compas’ of the Buleria.
Paul Miskin, 10 Ravensworth Terrace,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6AU
+44(0)191 2618987
+44 (0)7711 656759
nwsi@nwsi.demon.co.uk
www.nwsi.co.uk
Noisy Oyster
Noisy Oyster, established in 2008, is Nik Palmer
– puppeteer, puppet maker and musician, and
Sarah Rowland-Barker – puppeteer, dancer and

Photo: Murdo Macleod
circus performer.
Plain Bob (20 mins) No words. One visible
performer and one in the audience.
Dangerous Dave (45 mins) Comic puppet
stunt performance performed in English and
a favourite at UK puppet festivals (this year
going to Bornholme). One puppeteer and one
frontman. Can be performed inside or out.
Noisy Oyster, 5 Albion Place, Frome, Somerset,
BA11 4JZ
+44 (0)1373 466933
info@noisyoyster.co.uk
www.noisyoyster.co.uk
Vision Mechanics
The foundations of Vision Mechanics rest
in the creative minds of Symon Macintyre
(Artistic Director) and Kim Bergsagel (Creative
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Director). Our projects combine puppetry,
performance, technology and environment.
We aim to engage and encourage a sense
of community and create mythic events that
amaze and inspire.
Big Man Walking is a giant who travelled across
Scotland, thrilling audiences in their thousands.
Mobile promenade performance centred
around an 8-metre-high puppet. Performance is
suited for both day and night. Running time: 1
to 4 hours. Team of 12 (puppeteers, crew and
management) plus 10 local stewards.
Anne Fleming, 81 Great Junction Street,
Edinburgh EH6 5HZ
+44 (0) 131 554 8923
anne@visionmechanics.org
31

Puppets Abroad
BRIEF COMPANY LISTINGS
Beady Eye Theatre
www.kristinfredricksson.mfbiz.co.uk
Founded in 2009 by Kristin Fredricksson,
Beady Eye’s first show, Everything Must Go, was
described by the Times as ‘funny, moving and
unique’. It won a Total Theatre Award and the
Arches Brick Award, touring the UK in 2009/
10, including a two-week run at the Barbican,
London. International touring includes the
Ruhrfestspiele, Germany 2010 and Het Veem
Theater, Holland in Autumn 2011. Beady Eye
use various puppetry techniques and scales;
currently tiny and larger-than-life figures and
stop-motion animation mixed with live action.
Everything Must Go (or The Voluntary Attempt to
Overcome Unnecessary Obstacles). 1 hour; in
English or French. Le Metre: 40 mins; in French.
Kristin Fredricksson, 12 Puckle Lane,
Canterbury CT1 3JX, UK
+44 (0)1277 862282
+44 (0) 7900 340 663
beadyeye@live.co.uk
Ailie Cohen Puppet Maker
www.ailiecohen.com
Ailie is an associate artist of Puppetstate
Theatre Company, and co-directed and
designed The Man Who Planted Trees. Other
work includes Rumpelstiltskin at the Fairytale
Laundry and Jazz Mouse, both of which
have toured throughout the UK, Ireland and
Australia. Cloud Man by Ailie Cohen and Lewis
Hetherington will appear in 2012 at the Made
in Scotland Showcase (Edinburgh Fringe) and
at Imaginate International Children’s festival. 45
minute solo puppet piece for 4-7 year olds.
32
Ailie Cohen, 8b Traquair Road, Innerleithen,
Peeblesshire, EH446PD, Scotland
+44 (0)7946274804
ailiecohen@me.com
Branar Téatar do Pháistí
www.branar.ie
We strive for a simple, elegant form of
theatre for children that achieves intricacy
through the use of puppetry. In our ten-year
history we have toured throughout Ireland
and have appeared regularly at all the major
international children’s festivals in Ireland.
Central to our practice are our collaborations
with international directors from Denmark and
Norway.
Cube Theatre
www.cube-theatre.co.uk
A Cornish company specialising in ‘essential’
theatre: high quality, stylish theatre that is
rooted in the written word and balanced with
powerful physical action.
Nix Wood, Cube theatre, Burrell Theatre, 1
Trennick Lane, Truro TR1 1TH
0044 (0) 7785 263499
admin@cube-theatre.co.uk
Flabbergast Theatre
www.flabbergasttheatre.co.uk
Flabbergast Theatre makes uncompromising
and exciting physical theatre drawing on the
Bunraku style of puppetry. English language and
mime.
Henry Maynard, 95 Woodstock Road, London,
N4 3EU
+44 (0) 771 495 9892
henrymaynard@hotmail.co.uk

Frolicked
www.frolicked.co.uk
Frolicked is an outdoor puppet theatre
company based in Yorkshire.
Beka Haigh, Unit D First Floor, Asquith Bottom
Mill, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX6 3BS
+44 (0) 7947578181
admin@frolicked.co.uk
Gravy Boat Puppets
www.gravyboatpuppets.co.uk
Gravy Boat Puppets explore the crossover
between sculpture/visual arts and puppetry.
Isobel Smith, Gravy Boat Puppets, 2
Newhouse Farm Cottages, Firle, East Sussex,
UK, BN8 6ND
+44 (0) 1273 858 336
info@gravyboatpuppets.co.uk
Les Enfants Terribles Theatre Company
www.lesenfantsterribles.co.uk
We are dedicated to creating original,
innovative and exciting theatre that challenges,
inspires and entertains. Founded by Oliver
Lansley, the company has performed all over
the world including Poland, the Czech Republic,
Dubai, Norway and Singapore, and has toured
extensively in the UK. The Terrible Infants (75
mins, 5 performers); The Vaudevillains (75
mins,10 performers; 5 in band).
James Seager, 29 St Mary’s Road, Reigate,
Surrey, RH2 7JH
+44 (0) 7815040999
james@lesenfantsterribles.co.uk
Magic Book Theatre
www.magicbooktheatre.co.uk
The company’s aim is to produce quality
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
children’s theatre that encourages inclusive play.
Michele Petit-Jean, 38 Holden House, Deptford
Church Street, London SE8 4SQ
+44 (0) 7739 570 403
info@michelepetitjean.com
Nautilus Theatre
www.nautilustheatre.blogspot.com
Nautilus Theatre, directed by Alexander
Winfield, is a three-year-old company that
produces new and original solo puppet works
that simultaneously challenge and entertain
their audiences. Nautilus mixes bunraku, glove
and rod puppet techniques to create puppet
characters of remarkable depth and originality.
‘Dark…Daring!’ Toronto Eye Weekly. ‘A hugely
talented performer!’ Oxford Daily Info
26 Dennington Park Rd, NW6 1BA, London
nautilustheatre@gmail.com
+44 (0) 7504359656
Jose Navarro
www.jose-navarro.com
Jose is a solo puppeteer who works with
various puppet techniques such as string, glove,
shadow, body and rods. International festivals
include the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Buxton
Puppet Festival, LUT Puppet Festival (Bosnia),
‘Valise’ (Poland), Festival Neapolis (Tunisia), and
in Brazil, Armenia, Venezuela, Iran, Serbia and
Ukraine. Animalia (55 mins); A La Carte (50
mins); Amazonian Visions (5 mins); Ritual Scissors
Dance (55 mins); Children of the Sun (40 mins);
The Pongo’s Dream (20 mins).
Jose Navarro, 45 Bannerman House, Lawn
Lane, London. SW8 1UA
+44 (0) 7714 508280
pishtaco1@yahoo.co.uk
33

Puppets Abroad
Nutmeg Puppet Company
www.nutmegpuppet.co.uk
Founded in 1979, Nutmeg has mainly
specialised in producing original shows and
workshops about the environment, for children
of all ages, family audiences, and older people.
meg@nutmegpuppet.co.uk
+44 (0) 1502 478999
On The Other Hand Puppet Theatre
www.ontheotherhand.em8z.com
Founded in 1985. Ken Haines has worked in
film, TV and theatre and has represented the
UK at festivals in Europe in countries including
Greece, Portugal, Germany, Belgium and at the
Dublin International Puppet Festival. He is coauthor
of The Usborne Book of Puppets.
The Henry VIII Show, (75 mins) The Marvellous
Magical Coat (55 mins), Tales From the Washing
Line (55 mins), Moving Tales (35 mins). 2
performers.
Ken Haines,1 Grange House, 229 Stoke
Newington Church Street, London N16 9HL
+ 44 (0) 207254 5870
keninlondon@aol.com
Puppet Pool
www.facebook.com/pinkflamingopuppetcabaret
Puppet Pool is a collective of Liverpool artists
who have created the Pink Flamingo Puppet
Cabaret: an evening of titillation, comedy
and virtuoso puppet entertainment for adult
audiences.
Beccy Hillam, 24 Green Lane, Mossley Hill,
Liverpool, L18 6HB
+44 (0) 779 156 4759
puppetpool@googlemail.com
34
Robert Poulter’s New Model Theatre
www.newmodeltheatre. co.uk
One person operation, taking the
medium of traditional toy theatre and
creating new, original shows emphasising
movement, lighting, recorded sound and scenic
transformations. Established 30 years ago with
88 productions to date, including appearances
at festivals in Germany, France, the Netherlands
and Spain, and five Puppeteers of America
festivals. All shows (except one) solo performer.
Most in English with programme and synopsis
in appropriate language. Mr Turner Gets
Steamed Up (38 mins); The Loyal 47 (29 mins);
The Great Belzoni (49 mins); Black Eye’d Susan
by Douglas Jerrold (60 mins); The Buccaneer’s
Bride (45 mins); Oh! Smith (55 mins.) Live show
with actor Peter Baldwin; Scriabin’s Prometheus
(23 mins).
Robert Poulter’s New Model Theatre, 7 St
Augustine’s Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 9PQ
+ 44 (0)1843850002
RobertNMT@googlemail.com
Rough Magic Theatre
www.roughmagictheatre.co.uk
Rough Magic Theatre was formed in Bolton in
2000. They use shadows, rods, Bunraku style,
body puppets, mouth puppets, giant puppets,
paper theatre etc. The work includes acting and
music and is suitable for adults and children.
The work is primarily in English, but accessible
through visuals and music.
36 Bargh’s Meadow, High Bentham, Lancaster,
North Yorkshire, LA2 7NH
+44 (0) 15242 63314
+44 (0) 7901791358
roughmagic@hotmail.com

Sketty Productions
Founded in 2005, critically acclaimed Sketty
Productions is a London-based company
specializing in dynamic performance and
puppetry. Working collaboratively with a
team of actors, puppeteers and musicians the
company devises highly visual work suitable
for a wide range of audiences. Shows available:
Imogen, Feral and Tom’s. A maximum of five
performers; all shows last 1 hour.
Toby Clarke, 72 Sudbourne Road, Brixton,
London SW2 5AH
+44 (0) 7779391165
toby@skettyproductions.co.uk
alex@skettyproductions.co.uk
The Fetch Theatre Company:
www.thefetch.co.uk
The Fetch is a touring theatre company
producing a highly visual style of theatre
specialising in puppetry and mask work.
The Fetch produces work that engages with
audiences of all ages. Available for touring
overseas: The Grateful Crane. Based on a
traditional Japanese story, this beautiful,
mesmerizing show demonstrates the skill and
style of Bunraku puppetry. A visual tale told
without words and suitable for all ages.
info@thefetch.co.uk
+44(0) 1544 231 579
Tortoise in a Nutshell
www.tortoiseinanutshell.com
Tortoise in a Nutshell was established in 2008
with the aim of creating engaging visual theatre
performances, primarily using the medium of
puppetry. The Last Miner opened the 2011
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Manipulate festival and completed a UKwide
tour in Spring 2011. It utilises hand and
rod puppetry with shadow play and object
manipulation. 45 mins; 2 performers.
Tortoise in a Nutshell, c/o Impact Arts, Arts
Complex, East Wing, St Margarets House,
London Road, Edinburgh, EH7 6AE
+44 (0) 7580969385
+44 (0)131 5551703
inanutshell@live.co.uk
Vagabondi Theatrical Arts
www.vagabondipuppets.com
We perform mostly to family audiences
and schools and are particularly concerned
with environmental issues. Our latest show
Hydroscape dives into the depths of the
wonder that is H 2 0. Our belief in puppetry and
poetry harmonises with our love for live music
and soundscapes. A Pirate’s Life for Me (2010)
has a specially commissioned soundtrack from
Barcelonian puppeteer Mina Ledergerder. We
mix storytelling, puppetry and technology.
Jo Munton, Vagabondi Theatrical Arts, Studio 3,
Y Dolydd, Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 5LD
jo@vagabondipuppets.com
+44 (0)7779893412
+44 (0)1952 40050
Nenagh Watson – Barking Dog
Nenagh Watson’s background is in sculpture
and theatre. She was co artistic director of
doo-cot (with painter Rachael Field) 1990-
2007. Barking Dog was established in 2008 to
promote her collaborative projects.
Nenagh.Watson@cssd.ac.uk
nenagh.watson@yahoo.com
35

Puppets Abroad
FESTIVALS
Beverley Puppet Festival
Biennial (next festival July 2012)
beverleyartstrust@hotmail.co.uk
Bristol Festival of Puppetry
www.puppetplace.org/festival
26 August – 3 September 2011
Buxton Puppet Festival
Annual (25 – 30 July 2011)
+44 (0) 1298 72050
International Puppet Festival, Ireland
www.puppetfest.ie
Annual (21 – 31 October 2011)
Manipulate festival, Edinburgh
http://manipulatefestival.org
Annual (31 January – 5 February 2011)
Puppet Animation Festival, Scotland
www.puppetanimationfestival.org
Annual (2 – 26 April 2011)
Skipton Puppet Festival
www.skiptonpuppetfestival.co.uk
Biennial (23 – 25 September 2011)
Suspense: London Puppetry Festival
www.suspensefestival.com
Biennial (28 October – 6 November 2011)
May Fayre, London
www.alternativearts.co.uk
Annual (12 –13 May 2012)
In 2012, we celebrate Mr. Punch’s 350th
36
birthday with contributions from his cousins all
over the world.
THEATRES
Biggar Puppet Theatre, Scotland
www.purvespuppets.com
Puppet Tree House, Broughton Road, Biggar,
Lanarkshire, ML12 6HA
+44 (0) 1899 220631
The home of Purves Puppets. Their puppet
shows, an important part of Scottish theatre
for over 35 years, tour all over the world.
The Harlequin Marionette Theatre, Wales
www.puppets.uk.com
Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, North Wales
+44 (0) 1492 548166
Lambert Puppet Theatre
www.lambertpuppettheatre.ie
Clifton Lane, Monkstown, County Dublin
+44 (0) 1280 0974
Ireland’s only purpose-built puppet theatre,
established in 1972, containing a theatre
auditorium with capacity of 250, a small studio
space and Ireland’s only museum of puppets.
The Little Angel Theatre, London
www.littleangeltheatre.com
14 Dagmar Passage, London, N1 2DN
+44 (0) 20 7226 1787
The Little Angel Theatre is ‘the home of British
puppetry’ and one of only three building-based
puppet theatres in England, established in
1961. The 100-seat theatre stands side-byside
with the workshop, where all our new
productions and puppets are developed,

carved and constructed. We are dedicated to
the celebration and development of puppetry
and live animation in all its diverse forms.
Norwich Puppet Theatre, Norwich
www.puppettheatre.co.uk
St James, Whitefriars, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3
1TN
+44 (0) 1603 629921
Norwich Puppet Theatre was founded in
1979 by Ray and Joan DaSilva and was fi rst
opened as a public venue in 1980, following
the conversion of the medieval church of St.
James in the heart of Norwich. It is dedicated
to puppetry, and currently houses a 185-seat
raked auditorium, 50-seat studio, workshops, an
exhibition gallery, shop and licensed bar.
Puppet Theatre Barge, London
www.puppetbarge.com
Theatre: Little Venice, Blomfi eld Road, London,
W9 2PF
Offi ce: 78 Middleton Road, London, E8 4BP
+44 (0) 20 7249 6876
The company presents innovative, quality
theatre with a view to raising the status and
profi le of the marionette. It commissions new
scripts and musical scores from contemporary
writers and composers. The company has
an active educational policy and runs a
programme of work in schools, reaching large
numbers of children every year.
Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, Glasgow
http://scottishmaskandpuppetcentre.co.uk
8-10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, Glasgow,
G12 0QF
+44 (0) 141 339 6185
Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Over 25 years the Scottish Mask and Puppet
Centre has acted as a catalyst, a resource
centre and a lead agency for all those with
an interest in mask and puppet theatre. The
building includes a 100-seat studio theatre,
exhibition, cafe, library and production and
design workshops.
ORGANISATIONS
British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild
www.puppetguild.org.uk
Founded in 1925, the Guild is the longest
established UK puppetry organisation. Our
aims and objectives are to protect and
promote the skills of puppetry and the model
theatre; to improve the standards of puppetry
in all its forms; to establish communication
between members in both Great Britain and
all parts of the world. Our membership is
drawn from both professional and amateur
puppeteers. Regular meetings, festivals,
publications and our website keep members
informed and involved.
British UNIMA
www.unima.org.uk
British UNIMA is part of the Union
Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA)
founded in 1929 and affi liated to UNESCO.
UNIMA brings together people interested in
the art of puppetry and in using this art to
promote peace and mutual understanding.
British UNIMA offers opportunities to attend
international festivals and workshops, organises
an annual lecture and other events, publishes
Puppet Notebook magazine and a newsletter,
and reports on news, events and opportunities.
37

Puppets Abroad
London School of Puppetry
www.londonschoolofpuppetry.com
+44 (0)1756 753495
+44 (0) 207 3597357
info@londonschoolofpuppetry.com
The London School of Puppetry was the fi rst
organisation to establish formal training in
puppetry in the UK in 1987. We run long and
short courses and the Professional Puppeteers
Diploma. Courses.
Punch and Judy College of Professors
www.punchandjudy.org
Punch and Judy College members are among
the leading practitioners of Punch & Judy in the
UK today and have organised, and performed
at, numerous festivals locally, nationally and
internationally. The College promotes the
highest standards in the performance and
presentation of the traditional show.
Puppet Animation Scotland
http://puppetanimation.org/
Puppet Animation Scotland provides a
wide range of practical support to help the
development of Scottish puppeteers and
animators at all stages of their careers.
Puppet Centre Trust
www.puppetcentre.org.uk
The Puppet Centre Trust, founded in 1974, is
a development agency for puppetry working
at a national level. The overall mission for
the Puppet Centre Trust is ‘to develop and
promote the art form of puppetry within
the context of contemporary performance
practice.The Puppet Centre runs workshops
and master classes in puppetry arts and
38
business skills for puppeteers and emerging
artists as well as residency and mentoring
schemes. Our e-magazine, Animations Online
is published four times a year and contains
interesting articles on puppetry, reviews and
views on the current trends.
Puppet Place
www.puppetplace.org
Puppet Place, Unit 18, Albion Dockside Estate,
Hanover Place, Bristol, BS1 6UT
+44 (0)117 929 3593
info@puppetplace.org
We provide practical and strategic support
to artists including rehearsal, workshop and
shared offi ce space at our base in Bristol,
professional workshops and networking
opportunities and advocacy for the artform.
Puppeteers UK
www.puppeteersuk.com
info@puppeteersuk.com
PuppeteersUK is the networking organisation
for puppetry in the United Kingdom. It was
formed in 1999 with the objective of delivering
a united voice and an effective lobby for the
improved recognition of puppetry.
The Punch and Judy Fellowship
www.thepjf.com
Established in 1980, the Punch & Judy
Fellowship is the largest and oldest
organisation of its kind, devoted to keeping
alive the tradition of Punch & Judy shows.
We aim are to develop, preserve and
promote Punch & Judy and increase public
understanding of its development, history and
traditions.

Puppet theatre from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
39