WHAT'S ON
in PUPPETRY
Performances, Workshops, Exhibitions, Sales & Sits.Vac.
READING
South Street Arts Centre (0118 960 6060)
April 9
Theatre Hullabaloo: "My mother told me not to stare" (8+)
DERBYSHIRE
BUXTON
Paupers Pit Theatre (enquiries 01298 77440)
June 4/5, 8 pm
Funny Wonders Youth group: "A year and a day" (shadow puppetry)
July 26 - 31
Buxton Puppet Festival
DEVON
EXETER
Northcott Theatre (01392 493493)
March 22 - 27
Forkbeard Fantasy: "The Colour of Nonsense"
ESSEX
BILLERICAY
Barleylands Craft Village (01268 282103 - James Bradley)
May 29 9.30 am - 5 pm
Barleylands One World Puppet Festival:
10 am, 12 Noon & 3 pm:The Wychwood Marionettes 10.20 am, 12.20 pm & 3.20 pm: Black Cat Theatre, 10.40 am, 12.40 pm & 3.40 pm: Three's Company's Puppet Stories 11 am, 1 pm & 4 pm: Theatre Rotto: "Forest of Fables" 11.20 am, 1.20 pm & 4.20 pm: Ted Beresford's Jig Dolls. 4.35 pm: Puppet Parade & Closing ceremony
COLCHESTER
Mercury Theatre (01206 573948)
April 7th
Theatre Hullabaloo: "My mother told me not to stare" (8+)
HAMPSHIRE
SOUTHAMPTON
Nuffield Theatre (023 8067 1771)
April 10
Theatre Hullabaloo: "My mother told me not to stare" (8+)
HERTFORDSHIRE
HATFIELD
University of Hertfordshire (01707 281 127)
March 27
Theatre Hullabaloo: "My mother told me not to stare" (8+)
LANCASHIRE
ORMSKIRK
Rose Theatre (01695 584 4800)
March 30
Theatre Hullabaloo: "My mother told me not to stare" (8+)
WATERFOOT
The Boo (01706 220241)
phone for details
www.horseandbamboo.org
LINCOLNSHIRE
NORTH HYKEHAM
Terry O'Toole Theatre (01522 883311)
May 8, 2.30 pm
Indigo Moon Theatre: "Alice and the White Rabbit" (all the family)
LONDON
BRENTFORD
WATERMANS (020 8232 1010)
March 28, 3 pm
Tam Tam Theatre: "Sounds like....." (5-11)
April 18, 3 pm
Moby Duck: "Once upon a tiger" (all the family)
www.watermans.org.uk
HIGHGATE
Lauderdale House (020 8348 8716)
March 20, 10 am & 11.30 am
Potty Patrick (3-8) includes some puppetry
March 27, 10 am & 11.30 am
Barking Dog Theatre: "Barney & the Bookworm" (3-8)
HOLBORN
Art Worker's Guiild, 6 Queen's Square (01843 850002)
April 11, 3 pm & 6 pm
Robert Poulter's New Model Theatre: "Black Bart's Last Breakfast" & "The Loyal 47" (8+) Booking essential
ISLINGTON
The Little Angel Theatre (020 7226 1787)
March 16 - 28 (not 22/23) times vary, phone Box Office to check
Inkfish: "Three Good Wives"
April 1, 7 pm & 9 pm
The Great Puppet Horn: "Pangolin's Teatime"
April 17, 7.30 pm
The British Puppet & Model Theatre Guild: "The Lanchester Marionettes"
April 18, 7 pm & 9 pm
Jonathan Storey: "Jack Pritchard"
April 20/21, 8 pm
Matthew Robbins: "Sad Lucy - a fish opera"
April 23, 8 pm
Sh*tty Deal Puppets: "Oh what a sh*tty war" & Folded Feather: "Suitcase Circus"
April 24, 8 pm
Metta Theatre: "Abraham & Isaac"/"Journey of the Magi"
Sadlers Wells Theatre (0844 412 4300)
April 26/27, 7.3 0 pm
Akram Khan: "Gnosis" - with puppetry by Blind Summit
LITTLE VENICE
Puppet Theatre Barge (020 7249 6876
March 20/21, 27/28, 3 pm April 2 - 18, 24/25, 3 pm
Movingstage Marionettes: "The Hare and the Tortoise"
www.puppetbarge.com
LONDON BRIDGE
Unicorn Theatre (020 7645 0560)
March 17 - 21, 1.15 & 5 pm
Theatre Hullabaloo: "My mother told me not to stare" operetta for children - with puppets (8+)
April 23 - May 8, 10 am, 11.30 am & 1.30 pm
Oily Cart: "Something in the air" (devised for young people, 3 - 19, with profound & multiple learning difficulties or an autistic spectrum disorder)
LIMEHOUSE
Half Moon Young People's Theatre (020 7709 8900)
March 25
Theatre Hullabaloo: "My mother told me not to stare" (8+)
NORTHWOOD
St.John's Church (01923 829166)
March 27, 2.30 pm
Indigo Moon Theatre: "The Worm that Squirmed"
SOUTH BANK
National Theatre (Olivier) (020 7452 3000)
until March 28th (days & times vary - check with Box Office)
"Nation" - adaptation by Mark Ravenhill of Terry Pratchett's novel features puppetry by Yvonne Stone
SWISS COTTAGE
Central School of Speech & Drama (enquiries@studentpuppetfestival.co.uk)
May 5 - 8
Student Puppet Festival
applications to take part deadline: February 28th
www.studentpuppetfestival.com
WEST END
Gielgud Theatre (0844 482 5130)
"Avenue Q" good puppetry, good fun!
Lyceum Theatre (0870 243 9000)
"The Lion King"
for times of performance, phone Box Office.
New London Theatre (0844 412 4654)
"War Horse" - the great National Theatre production, run now extended until 2011.
WIMBLEDON
Polka Theatre (020 8543 4888)
until May 15
"Charlie & Lola's Best Play" puppetry and object manipulation by Aya Nakamura (4-7)
NORFOLK
NORWICH
Norwich Puppet Theatre (01603 629921)
April 6 - 8, 2.30 pm
Hand to Mouth Theatre: "Goldilcocks" (3+)
April 10/11, 2.30 pm
Sea Legs Puppet Theatre: "The Ugly Duckling" (3+)
April 13/14, 2.30 pm
Noisy Oyster: "The cat that walked by himself" (6+)
April 17, 2.30 pm
Angel Heart Theatre: "Oshima and thre Big Sea" (3+)
SURREY
FARNHAM
Farnham Maltings (01252 745444)
March 20, 2.30 pm
Indigo Moon Theatre: "Alice and the White Rabbit" (all the family)
YORKSHIRE
BEVERLEY
July 16 - 18
4th Beverley Puppet Festival
www.beverleyarts.co.uk
SKIPTON
September 23 - 25
Skipton Puppet Festival
admin@skiptonpuppefestival.co
SCOTLAND
ENNISKILLEN
Ardhowen Theatre (02866 325440)
June 11, 11 am
Indigo Moon Theatre: "Alice and the White Rabbit" (all the family)
LONDONDERRY
Waterside Theatre and Arts Centre (028 7131 4000)
June 6, 3 pm June 7, 10 am
Indigo Moon Theatre: "Alice and the White Rabbit" (all the family)
NEWTOWNABBEY
The Theatre at the Mill (028 9043 0202)
April 10, 11 am & 1.30 pm
Indigo Moon Theatre: "Alice and the White Rabbit" (all the family)
OMAGH
The Strule Theatre (028 8224 7831)
April 8, 11 am & 2 pm
Indigo Moon Theatre: "Alice and the White Rabbit" (all the family)
SCOTLAND
GLASGOW
The Arches (0141 565 1008)
March 18
Forkbeard Fantasy: "Colour of Nonsense"
Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre (0141 339 6185)
March 27, 2 pm
Maskot Puppet Theatre: "Mr. Punch comes to the Comedy Festival" (3+)
April 24, 2 pm (in English) & 3.45 pm (in French)
Collaborators: "The Fisherman's Wife" (3+)
May 8, 2 pm
Poppie's Puppets: "Mucklemouth Meg" (3+)
May 22, 2 pm
Yugen Puppets: "The Magic Horse" (3+)
June 5, 2 pm & 3.45 pm
Robert Poulter's New Model Theatre: "The Buccaneer's Bride" (3+)
WALES
CARMARTHENSHIRE
AMMANFORD
Ammanford Miners' Theatre (0845 2263510)
April 3
Theatre Hullabaloo: "My mother told me not to stare" (8+)
RHOS-ON-SEA, COLWYN BAY
The Harlequin Marionette Theatre
Open during all school holidays
(01492 548166)
phone for details or visit
INTERNATIONAL
AUSTRIA
SALTZBURG
Saltzburg Marionettentheatre
(www.marionetten.at)
CANADA
MONTREAL
November 15 - 21
Cinars Performing Arts Festival (+1514842 5866)
the festival is now seeking applications. it is a multi-media event and occasionally puppet theatre gets a look in!
www.cinars.org
CZECH REPUBLIC
PRAGUE
World Festival of Puppet Art (+420-224 242 812)
May 31 - June 6
applications to take part are now available
www.wap-prague.org email: festivalpuppet@yahoo.com
DENMARK
COPENHAGEN
March 24 - 27
Copenhagen Puppet Festival & UNIMA Denmark
(no contact details given)
May 31 - June 6
Copenhagen Puppet Junior
a new initiative aimed at children and families which will tour Vanlose, Vesterbro, Nordvest og Amagaer (all oparts of Copenhagen). FRANCE
CHARLEVILLE-MEZIERES
Institut International de la Marionette & TIM (Theatre de l'Institut) (0033 (0) 3 24 33 72 50
GERMANY
BOCHUM
September 9 - 16
Fidena Puppet Festival (info@fidena.de)
www.fidena.de
IRAN
TEHRAN
July 22 - 27
13th Tehran International Puppet Festival (+9821 66725316/66708861)
deadline for applications May 31st.
netdac@ne.da
THE NETHERLANDS
DORDRECHT
Dordrecht International Puppet Festival (www.poppentheaterfestival.nl)
June 19-27
MEPPEL
September 8 - 12
10th Meppel Puppet Festival (0031 522 245 254/0031 6 222 345)
contact: Bernard Bruil: info@poppenspelfestival.nl
www.poppenspelfestival.nl
POLAND
LOMZA
XXIII International; Theatrical Festival Valise (The Puppet & Actor Theatre) (+48 86) 216 59 55/473 55 66)
June 8 - 11
a 'puppets in a suitcase' festival. The festival committee are now looking for suitable shows. They pay 1,000 euros and accommodation but NO TRAVEL EXPENSES. For application forms and further informatuion contact: Jaroslaw Antoniuk: teatriomza@hi.pl/www.teatriomza.hi.pl.
SWITZERLAND
BADEN
June 9 - 13
Figura Festival (info@figura-festival.ch)
www.figura-festival.ch
WORKSHOPS
UK
DERBYSHIRE
BUXTON
Funny Wonders (07737 681989)
from January 5th, Tuesdays,4.45 pm
After school puppetry session for 7+ children
from January 5th, Tuesdays - 5.30 pm
Puppetry youth group for young people 11 +
from January 6th, Wednesdays, 7 pm - 9 pm
Shadow Theatre Classes for adults (18+)
www.funnywonders.org.uk
DEVON
FORKBEARD FANTASY BASE (0117 930 9933)
July 2-9 July 16 - 23
SUMMER SCHOOLS
www.forkbeardfantasy.co.uk
ESSEX
BILLERICAY
Barleylands Craft Village (contact: James Bradley 01268 282103)
May 29, 9.30 am - 5 pm
Chinese style puppet workshop (part of Barleylands One World Puppet Festival)
LONDON
FOREST HILL
Horniman Museum (020 8699 1872)
Every Saturday until March 27, 11 am - 11.45 am & 12.15 pm - 1 pm (except January 30) Every Sunday until March 28, 2 pm - 2.45 pm & 3.15 pm - 4 pm
HANDS ON SESSIONS:Children can handle objects from the museum's collection including puppets & masks.
ISLINGTON
Little Angel Theatre (020 7226 1787)
March 22 - 26, 10 am - 6 pm
Carving workshops with Jophn Roberts - this workshop is SOLD OUT but there may be returns so if you want to go on the waiting list, please phone the Box office
until March 27, (Saturday mornings only),
Saturday Puppet Club
9.45 - 11 am or 11.30 am - 12.45 pm for 5 - 7s 9.45 - 11 am for 8-10s
until March 20 (Saturday mornings only), 9.45 am - 11 am or 11.30 am - 12.45 am
"Crafty Kids" - workshops for 2 - 5 year olds.
until March 30, (Tuesday evenings, 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm)
Adult Beginners Course
until March 31 (Wednesday evenings, 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm)
Adult Performance Makers Course
until March 31 (Wednesday evenings, 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm)
Adult Puppet Performance Course
INSET TRAINING AVAILABLE (KS1 & 2)FOR TEACHERS AND WORKSHOP LEADERS who work with primary aged children. phone 020 7226 1787/www.littleangeltheatre.com for details.
WATERLOO
THE EUROPEAN SCHOOL OF YOUNG PERFORMERS (020 7202 7040)
March 23, 11 am - 4 pm
Puppetry Workshop led by Rachel Warr - Rachel describes herself as "one of the country's leading puppeteers", her most recent work being "Antoine & the Paper Aeroplane". Contact her to discover more at monologueclub@hotmail.co.uk.
NORFOLK
NORWICH
Norwich Puppet Theatre (01603 615564)
March 17 - 19, 10 am - 5 pm
Masterclass: Carving puppets led by John Roberts
March 20, 11 am
Bug Puppet workshop
March 25, 10 am
Pre-schoolers' workshop
April 9, 11 am
Clay-modelling workshop
April 13, 11 am
Dragon glove puppet workshop
April 15, 11 am
Bird marionette workshop
April 16, 11 am
Imaginary Creature Family workshop
April 22, 1 pm
Pre-schoolers' workshop
SCOTLAND
Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre (0141 339 6185)
March 20, 2 pm
Comical Characters Workshop
June 5, 10 am
Toy Theatre Workshop led by Robert Poulter
INTERNATIONAL
FRANCE
CHARLEVILLE-MEZIERES
Institut International de la Marionette (UNIMA) ((0033 (0) 3 24 33 72 50)
July 13 - 30
"On the theatrical vocation of shadow theatre" workshop director: Fabrizio Montecchi (from Teatro Gioco Vita)
deadline for applications 30 April
August 23 - September 8
"The Actor and the Object" Workshop director: Agnes Limbos (from Company Gare Centrale, Belgium)
www.institut@marionette.com
PARIS
Studio Pur Sacre ((0033) 06 78 65 53 05)
April 12 - 16, 19 - 24
"The Masked Game", a series of workshops with Patrick Pezin.
email: voiesacteur@wanadoo.fr
ON-GOING COURSES & COURSES ON DEMAND
LONDON
ISLINGTON
The Arts Factory (0796 7895544)
LEARN TO LIP SYNCH (one day workshop)
MAKE YOUR OWN STOP-FRAME PUPPET (2 day workshop)
ANIMATE A 3D STOP-FRAME PUPPET (2 day workshop)
CUT OUT ANIMATION (2 day workshop)
for full details of these workshops contact Kevin Griffiths itskevingriffiths@yahoo.co.uk or 0796 7895544.
www.puppetician.com
SWISS COTTAGE
Central School of Speech and Drama
BA course in puppetry, MA course in theatre practise
details from www.cssd.ac.uk/undergrad.php/16/puppetry.html
FRANCE
CHARLESVIELLE-MEZIERES
Institut Internationale de la Marionette (00 (0) 3 24 33 72 50)
LONDON SCHOOL OF PUPPETRY
(01756 753495/ 073597357/01453 833293)
Courses in shadow puppetry, marionettes, rods, hand or glove puppetry. A new Diploma course, to run on various Saturdays throughout the year, will commence this April.
Marionette carving, choreography, living room theatre, cross arts performances, special needs work.
Accredited by Middlesex University.
www.londonschoolofpuppetry.com
MARIONETTE MANIPULATION
Tuition by Christopher Somerville
(01492 548166)
Tailor-made tuition for singles, couples or groups.
Call to discuss your needs.
TELEVISION PUPPETRY
Weekend course in Norfolk learning the art of television puppetry in a real TV set, using television hand puppets. Courses arranged on request: Ian Allen, Playboard Puppets 020 7226 5911/01379 674353
SUCCESSFUL PUNCH AND JUDY
Tuition by Glyn Edwards 2 Pembury Road, Worthing, Sussex, BN14 7DN 01903 200 364 Tailor-made tuition based on Glyn’s book of the same name Call to discuss your needs
EXHIBITIONS & TALKS
DERBYSHIRE
SUDBURY, Nr. Ashbourne
Sudbury Hall & National Trust Museum of Childhood (01283 585337)
Lilliput Marionette Theatre: a small selection of marionettes from "The Lost Princess" are now on view in the museum. Opening times are Wed - Sun, 11 am - 5 pm. Between July 28 - September 7 (school holidays), the museum is open daily.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh-w-visits/w-findapalce/w-sudburyhall
LONDON
FOREST HILL
Horniman Museum (020 8699 1872)
until Septrember 5
"Myths & Monsters" animatronics are included in this exhibition.
NORFOLK
NORWICH
Norwich Puppet Theatre ((01603 629921)
SUSSEX
BRIGHTON
Brighton Museum (01273 292864)
Excellent exhibition of puppets in 'Performance Area'. Semi-permanent display - well worth a few visits.
SCOTLAND
GLASGOW
Mitchell Library (0141 334 7281/07890 492777)
"The World through Wooden Eyes" exhibition of puppets, masks and related material.
open daily (not Mondays) 1 pm - 5 pm
www.theworldthroughwoodeneyes.co.uk
SPRINGBURN
Springburn Leisure Centre
until June
"Peddlers of Pleasure - Mr. Punch and his International Cousins"
see also WORKSHOPS
PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS
BERKSHIRE
MAIDENHEAD
Dolphin Cottage (01628 627387)
Puppet Animation Films - exhibition of sets, photographs & history of the making of puppet animation films by The Dolphin Puppeteers. phone for appointment to view.
DERBYSHIRE
DERBY
Pickford's House Museum
Houses the Frank Bradley collection of Toy Theatres
LONDON
GOODGE STREET
Pollock's Toy Museum 1 Scala Street, W1 (020 7635 3452)
10 AM - 5 PM Mon - Sat
STAFFORDSHIRE
STAFFORD
Staffordshire County Museum (part of the Shugborough Estate, Milford, near Stafford) (01889 881 388)
The Douglas Hayward Puppet Collection: a permanent display of around 200 puppets dating from 1800 to the present day, by puppet makers including The Lanchesters, the Stavordales, Eric Bramall, Ken Barnard, Fred Tickner, Douglas Hayward and many more. Displayed in a re-creation of the Douglas Hayward Puppet Museum from the Staffordshire village of Abbots Bromley. Open 7 days a week from mid-March to end of October, 11 AM to 5 PM. One admission charge covers car park and entrance to the museum, Mansion House (National Trust)farm and gardens.
SCOTLAND
BIGGAR
The Biggar Puppet Theatre (01899 220631)
Excellent exhbition of puppetry, including Victorian marionettes. Open daily.
GLASGOW
The Scottish Mask & Puppet Theatre Centre 8-10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale,G12 (0141 339 6185)
Interesting collection of puppets. Phone Box office for times of opening.
THE NETHERLANDS
Puppenspe(e)museum, Otton van der Mitden, Kerkweg 38, 8193 KL Vorchten.
Featuring Mr.Punch, Judy and relations.
31(0)578-63 13 29
www.poppenspelmuseum.nl
SWITZERLAND
FRIBOURG
Musee Suisse de la Marionette
(+41.26.321.31.75)
www.FribourgTourism.ch
USA
KENTUCKY
FORT MITCHELL
Vent Haven Museum ((859)341-0461)
The world's only museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism
open May - September
email: venthaven@insightbb.com
SITUATIONS VACANT
MALE PHYSICAL THEATRE PERFORMER WITH PUPPETRY SKILLS: wanted by Raven Kaliana for her show "Hooray for Hollywood". See www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq8notC6PfU and contact Raven at http://ravenkaliana.com
PUPPETEER (MALE OR FEMALE); wanted for "Skitterbang Island", a puppet opera to be directed by Peter Glanville at The Little Angel Theatre and the Polka Theatre. Rehearsals from 16 June, laying from 7 July. Needed also for 2 research days, 11/12 May. Apply to: peter@littleangeltheatre.com
PUPPETRY TUTORS WANTED: by London School of Puppetry. Applicants need to be experienced in all kinds of puppetry and be based in the North of England. Contact: Caroline Astell-Burt: castellburt@londonschoolofpuppetry.com.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED BY THE LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE Box office, Ushering, Publicity distribution, marketing, general administration. As much or as little as you wish to give will help this puppet theatre. For beginners, it is an excellent opportunity to learn about puppetry. Phone: 020 7226 1787 and ask for a volunteers pack.
COMPLETE "TRADITIONAL TURKISH SHADOW THEATRE: KARAGOZ PROJECT: 5 DVD set featuring Hayali Metin Ozlen. Plays performed in Turkish with English subtitles. $100. www.turkishcultureshop.org.
DVD: "THE STORY OF FENIST", the award-winning documentary about Russian puppeteer Igor Fokin and his family is available on-line from www.redpalettepictures.com/storyoffenist.html for $30 + $5 p&p (possibly a bit more to the UK). All proceeds go to support Fokin's wife and three children, living in Russia.
PUPPET ANIMATION FILMS: The Dolphin Puppeteers have a series of 13 ten minute puppet animation films for sale. They are on 3 dvds: 1 for £7.99, 2 for £13.99 or 3 for £17.99. Further details (and purchase) from www.dolphinpuppetfilms.co.uk or The Puppet Theatre Barge.
ALUMINIUM MARIONETTE TOURING STAGE: Suit small scale venue or secondary school. Professionallly engineered, originally cost £6000. Offers! Movingstage Marionettes 07836 202 745.
PUPPET PLANET, 787 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 3JQ 020 7627 0111 lesley@puppetplanet.co.uk (Guild member)
BENJAMIN POLLOCK'S TOY SHOP, 44 The Market, Covent Garden, London WC2 8RF (tel: 020 7379 7866, FAX 020 7379 7880) the only traditional toyshop in the West End, specialising in puppets, toy theatres and old-fashioned toys.
TALENT FOR SALE!
Melvyn Rawlinson (of Professor Popup fame) is not only an excellent puppeteer but also an experienced director. If any puppeteers or puppet company is looking for a director for a forthcoming production, why not contact Melvyn. Write to him at Professor Popup's Puppet Theatre. 34 Cleeve Avenue,Toton, Nottingham, NG9 6JH or Melvyn.Rawlinson@btinternet.co.uk./melvyn@accesstheatre.co.uk www.accesstheatre.co.uk
USEFUL WEBSITES for information on other performances:
www.figurentheater-stuttgart.de (Stuttgart, Germany)
www.carnetmagazine.org (the Netherlands and Flanders)
www.kleinespui.nl (Netherlands)
www.propop.be (Theatre Propop en De Poppenzaal, Belgium)
WHAT’S ON is produced by The British Puppet & Model Theatre Guild. BPMTG is a member of PUPPETEERS UK.
Please send items for inclusion to PETER CHARLTON, peter@peterpuppet.co.uk or FAX to 020 8997 8236 Advertisers are also encouraged to register details of puppetry events on www.puppeteersUK.com.
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