UK Puppet Theatres
Little Angel Theatre
The Little Angel Theatre has used puppetry to create and share inspiring stories since opening its doors in 1961; igniting the imaginations of the youngest minds. The theatre’s success has been built upon a spirit of artistic innovation. They are committed to pushing the boundaries of what puppetry can be, whilst preserving its heritage. Not only do they produce their own shows for children and young people, which play in-house and tour nationally and internationally, they also welcome puppetry companies from around the UK and overseas to perform on their stages. Alongside their work on stage, their creative learning department delivers imaginative education and participatory activities in their venues, in schools and in community settings. LAT aims to fuel the imagination through the magic and wonder of puppetry. They do this on stage, on screen, in schools, in the community and through training and professional development. At LAT, they aim to ignite the imaginations of the youngest minds and they want you to join them in their fight against climate change. We all have the power to create change, no matter how big or how small.
Norwich Puppet Theatre
Norwich Puppet Theatre is a venue, theatre company, and community outreach organisation. They are dedicated to championing the special art form of puppetry and are committed to providing magical experiences and creative skills sessions for everyone. Situated inside a medieval church, they are one of only three building-based puppet theatres in England. Their programme of family events offers an excellent introduction to the magic of theatre. They offer original shows, activities, and workshops for all ages. For over 40 years Norwich Puppet Theatre’s producing company has created new shows for family audiences, performing in Norwich before touring in the UK and internationally. Their creative practitioners work across the region providing hands-on experiences for schools, charity organisations, and public events. Their work provides a creative context which encourages meaningful, exciting, and inspiring learning opportunities.
Puppet Theatre Barge
The Puppet Theatre Barge is one of the UK’s most unique theatre venues, a 50 seat theatre inside a converted barge. They have been putting on a programme of unique and magical puppet shows for over forty years.
The audience begin their journey as soon as they step onto the gangplank and climb aboard. They descend below the water line (wellingtons not necessary) and leave the real world behind. Puppets from other parts of the world hang from the walls in retirement. The theatre’s golden curtain is softly lit and banks of seats slope gently to the roof. A ship’s bell is rung, the audience falls silent in anticipation. Music plays, the lights dim, the theatre goes dark and finally the curtain rises to the delight of children and adults alike. The Puppet Theatre Barge started as a touring company called Movingstage in 1978 specialising in marionette theatre. After several years of touring the UK and the world, the company acquired a 72ft-long Thames lighter and converted it into a permanent puppet theatre. The stage was specially designed to put on shows using string marionettes, and the seating raked to ensure a good view from every seat. For the first few years, the company’s Puppet Theatre Barge was based in Camden Lock and toured the Grand Union Canal in the summer. In 1986, the Puppet Barge moved its winter base to Little Venice and each summer went up the River Thames, sometimes as far as Abingdon, Oxford.
Biggar Puppet Theatre
Biggar Puppet Theatre is the home of the world famous Scottish puppet theatre company, the International Purves Puppets. On their website you will find information on their acclaimed puppetry touring company as well as information on their many shows, workshops, teacher in-service courses, television and radio appearances, plus other events at their permanent facility, Biggar Puppet Theatre, near Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland. Entertainment for families and children of all ages!
Upfront Puppet Theatre
John and Elaine Parkinson opened the gallery in 1997, based on a passion for good art and good food. They have combined the two in a unique setting and have developed the venture into the only purpose built arts venue in Eden over the last 25 years. John’s other passion, puppetry, has resulted in the building of one of only four puppet theatres in England. Elaine was originally a teacher and skills learnt in this role have given her the organisational skills that underpin the planning of the season of exhibitions and artists. She also makes a strong input into the Puppet Theatre and school visits. John Parkinson originally trained as a theatre designer. His design skills and knowledge of art enable him to give the gallery its unique style. He is responsible for how the gallery has developed creatively as well as for the development of the puppet theatre, giving input into its design and direction together with visiting freelancers. Upfront Arts Charity No.1153089 was formed in 2012 and has a board of trustees which oversee the governance of the charity and work to promote its performances, fund raising and other activities such as educational outreach workshops and a resident youth theatre. The board works hard to ensure that the activities of the charity are fully accessible and are inclusive at all levels. The name “Upfront” was chosen to reflect a direct and honest organisation and has now become a key part of its identity.
Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre
Scottish Mask is an internationally renowned arts centre dedicated to the sustainable growth and development of the Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre as a permanent theatre, museum and education institute. They work at local, national and international levels in the interests of cultural democracy and diversity, through the quality of their work, forward planning, creative intercultural exchanges and exemplary partnerships, to promote a passion and access to creativity for the commonweal of Scotland. At SMPC their building-based Art Centre is made up of the following elements: an annual public programme of shows, workshops and events; a museum and documentation centre for collections and archives; and an education unit including research library and audio-visual collection. They are a national centre of excellence and a home for all those seeking that creative spark of freedom which lies deep inside every person; “Freedom Come All Ye”. The creative nucleus of the Centre is their theatre, museum, education unit and related production and design workshops. Their approach is ‘hands-on’ and their work and training initiatives are applied by ‘learning through doing’ from craft to performance.
Harlequin Puppet Theatre
“After the opening of Britain’s first puppet theatre at Colwyn Bay yesterday Mr Eric Bramall, father of the project, said that it was really a gigantic folly the likes of which had never been seen, even in the heyday of puppetry” This was the beginning of one of many newspaper articles reporting on the opening of the Harlequin Puppet Theatre in 1958 and now, decades later, this ‘gigantic folly’ is still here and as enchanting as ever. Eric Bramall began his puppetry career performing in the park of his hometown of Wallasey and on the pier in New Brighton. This, coupled with extensive tours following the variety circuit around the country, kept him very busy and consistently in demand. Such was the novelty of a puppeteer with imagination and artistry combined with expert skill in marionette manipulation. Eric’s mother and Millie Ford were supporting puppeteers to Eric in the early years, but due to ill health Eric’s mother had to step back from performing. A regular visitor to the Harlequin was Chris Somerville. He would stay after performances and chat with Eric. His talent as a puppeteer was soon recognised and Chris joined Eric and Millie. Sadly Eric passed away in 1996 and Chris was was determined that the Harlequin would continue. The range of shows had already been adapted many years earlier for two puppeteers, Chris set about adapting these further to allow for just one puppeteer to perform comfortably. In addition to the performance Chris would support the Harlequin financially through his Punch and Judy and Magic shows that he would perform at Childrens' parties and fetes. This dedication ensured the Harlequin continued for another 26 years, allowing a new generation to witness its magic. Chris Somerville sadly passed away in January 2023. What he left was the continuation of a legacy that Eric Bramall created. A unique and important theatre that still to this day generates a gasp from those entering its chandelier lit auditorium. On July 7th 2023, the theatres 65th birthday, the Harlequin Puppet Theatre was granted ‘Grade 2 Listed Building’ status. Cadw, the department of the Welsh Government for historic buildings said “The Harlequin Puppet Theatre has been listed for its special architectural and historic interest as an extremely rare example of a purpose-built puppet theatre. The theatre is an unusual piece of post-war architecture with great historic interest” – not bad for a ‘gigantic folly’.
