One of my favourite things about this year is watching stage puppets step out into the wider world. First it was Little Angel’s Kai and Gerda taking up residence at the British Library’s Fairy Tales exhibition — and now Theatre by the Lake in Keswick is sending its own creations off on adventures of their own. A flock of sheep and two sheepdogs from The Shepherd’s Life are currently charming visitors at Keswick Museum (and will be until February 2027, so there’s plenty of time to plan a Lakes pilgrimage). Toto from last Christmas’s Wizard of Oz spent the spring in an art exhibition alongside work by David Shrigley and William Wegman. And — the detail that made me sit up — an elephant puppet head from Around the World in 80 Days is being rebuilt for a new film, with Little Angel Theatre’s own Oliver Hyman leading the puppet design. Small world, this puppet world.

Here’s the full story from Theatre by the Lake, lightly updated for the calendar:
From Theatre by the Lake:

Puppets on Parade: Theatre by the Lake Puppets Take to the Road

Beloved puppets from The Wizard of Oz, The Shepherd’s Life and Around the World in 80 Days appear in exhibitions and a new film project across the UK.

Some of Theatre by the Lake’s (TBTL) most memorable puppets are stepping beyond the stage and into new adventures, with several creations from past productions appearing in exhibitions and film projects across the UK.

A flock of sheep and two sheepdog puppets from TBTL’s nationally acclaimed 2016 production The Shepherd’s Life are currently on display in Outside In at Keswick Museum. The immersive exhibition allows visitors to explore the Lake District through cutting-edge technology including aerial footage, 360° video and augmented reality experiences.

Joseph Massey, Assistant Curator at Keswick Museum, said: “We’re delighted to have loaned these incredible puppets from TBTL. They’re a fantastic example of bringing the outside in, as the puppeteers made them move like real animals on the stage. Visitors’ faces light up as soon as they see the sheep and sheepdogs!”

The puppets will remain part of the exhibition until February 2027.

Earlier this year, the puppet Toto from the theatre’s 2025 Christmas production The Wizard of Oz featured in A Dog’s Life at Rheged Discovery Centre (13 February – 14 June 2026). The international touring exhibition explored the enduring relationship between humans and their canine companions through the work of artists, designers, illustrators and photographers including Sophie Ryder, William Wegman and David Shrigley — with Rheged adding its own spotlight on Cumbrian breeds, hero working dogs, Cumbrian artists and the Yorkshire artist Helen Foan, designer and maker of Toto the Dog.

“Several members of our team went to see The Wizard of Oz at Theatre by the Lake and we absolutely loved it, so it feels particularly special to have Toto included here,” the Rheged team said. “Being able to see the character up close gives visitors a wonderful insight into the artistry and craftsmanship behind the performance.”

Further afield, TBTL’s elephant puppet head from the theatre’s 2023 production of Around the World in 80 Days is being transformed with a new body and legs for the upcoming film By a Thread, directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Alex Lockwood.

Oliver Hyman, Associate Director at Little Angel Theatre and lead puppet designer/director on the film, said: “It’s been incredibly exciting to help shape a visual language that brings the natural world to life through puppetry on screen. We’re thrilled to be utilising the elephant head from TBTL, originally created by Naomi Oppenheim whose artistry and involvement so far in this project has been invaluable.”

Filming will take place at the Eden Project in Cornwall, with the film exploring the urgent need to rewild our planet and inspire deeper connections with the natural world.

From gallery walls to museum displays and the big screen, TBTL’s puppets continue to delight audiences long after their final bow.

📌 At a glance

What: Outside In — featuring the Shepherd’s Life sheep and sheepdog puppets from Theatre by the Lake
Where: Keswick Museum, Station Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4NF (a 5-minute walk from the Moot Hall in the town centre, beside Fitz Park)
When: Now on until February 2027 · museum open daily 10am–4pm, last admission 3.30pm
Tickets: Adult £7.50, with free return visits for 12 months — one ticket, a whole year of sheep · keswickmuseum.org.uk
Good to know: Fully accessible for wheelchairs, buggies and assistance dogs; free entry to the shop, café and Community Gallery

More info | Book Now

Are you a theatre, museum, puppet company or maker? I’d love to hear from you. Send press releases, images and news to hollylikespuppets@gmail.com if it involves puppets, it belongs here.

Nestled in the exhibition’s deep dark woods, you’ll find Kai and Gerda from Little Angel Theatre’s production of The Snow Queen, on display alongside historic manuscripts, pop-up books and original illustrations. Seeing performance puppets exhibited among 500 years of storytelling treasures is a quiet but meaningful thing: it places puppetry exactly where it belongs, at the heart of how fairy tales have always been told and retold.

And the timing this summer is a gift. The exhibition’s final weeks overlap with the Little Angel Theatre Children’s Puppet Festival (28 July – 30 August), and its magical highlight, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (22–30 August, ages 6+). Inspired by Goethe’s classic poem, it follows a curious young apprentice who discovers that all things — especially magic — must be handled with care. The show features handcrafted marionettes from Little Angel’s own workshops and is part of the theatre’s mission, supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore this endangered craft.

Here’s the bit of calendar magic I love: the show opens on 22 August, and the exhibition closes on 23 August. That gives you exactly one weekend to do both — meet Kai and Gerda at the Library in the morning, then watch the apprentice’s spells spiral gloriously out of control in Islington that afternoon. If ever there were a puppet pilgrimage worth planning, it’s that.

Below is the official press release from the British Library, which sets out everything the exhibition holds — I’ve resisted the urge to gush further. Book your festival tickets at littleangeltheatre.com (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is selling fast; there’s a waiting list for sold-out dates).

Fairy Tales opens at the British Library

Fairy Tales is made possible with support from Wayland Games

• Fairy Tales (Now on until 23 August 2026) invites visitors to explore the magical world of fairy tales through a display filled with illustrations, pop-up books, manuscripts, and puppets

• Children and their families will travel through mysterious woods and an enchanting palace to discover the brave heroes, fantastical creatures and magical objects that shape fairy tales

• Fairy Tales will welcome children to experience the magic of the stories themselves through interactive elements including a magic mirror, a genie and magical potions.

Fairy Tales celebrates the iconic heroes, villains and fantastical creatures that populate the captivating worlds of fairy tales. Young children and their families will travel through a mysterious forest and an enchanted palace to discover the characters, creatures and ideas that shape magical stories and their retellings. From encounters with powerful spells and curses, to the iconic heroes and villains from across storytelling cultures, Fairy Tales will encourage children and their parents or carers to explore the wonders of the fairy tale world.

Visitors will begin their journey in a cosy cottage with a crackling hearth, where they will discover the oral storytelling origins of fairy tales. Here children will explore the breadth and wealth of storytelling traditions as shown by a collection of French stories in Histoires du temps passé by Charles Perrault, a beautiful illustration by Mervyn Peake for an edition of Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm and folk tales from around the world including the fascinating stories of Anansi and other cunning trickster characters. Children will also re-discover the origins of their favourite stories through historic manuscripts and early printed editions, including a depiction of the legend of Mulan.

Leaving the comforts of the cottage behind, visitors will enter the deep dark woods, where they will encounter heroes and villains from Little Red Riding Hood and other tales. Through examples from old favourites such as Goldilocks and Rapunzel and contemporary retellings including Zombierella written by Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Freya Hartas, this section of the exhibition will question and challenge how the representation of fairy tale characters has evolved over time. Visitors will marvel over colourful pop-up books inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, and see puppets of Kai and Gerda from the Little Angel Theatre’s production of The Snow Queen, relive the adventures of Hansel and Gretel through a printed edition of the tale illustrated by Kay Nielsen and peek into Goldilocks’ letter to Mr and Mrs Bear, from The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. This section will also feature a walk-through gingerbread house from the tale of Hansel and Gretel and a dressing-up area where young visitors will be able to transform into their favourite fairy tale character.

Following their journey through the woods, families will arrive in a royal palace where they will discover the different forms of magic that exist within the world of fairy tales, from spells and curses to fantastical objects. Beginning with a copy of Cinderella illustrated by Arthur Rackham, visitors will be guided through stories filled with fairy godmothers, enchanted porridge pots, flying horses and fairy tale wishes, including: the reproductions of Disney sketches and concept artwork from Cinderella; original illustrations by Quentin Blake; a copy of Vasilisa the Beautiful illustrated by Ivan Bilibin and a copy of The Fisherman and his Wife by Eric Carle, creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. While exploring fairy tale magic, children and their families will also come across interactive magical objects, including witches’ potions and a genie’s lamp.

From the palace families will step in to a ‘far far away land’ where they will be introduced to the world of magical creatures that inhabit fairy tales, from talking bears and cats to selkies, mermaids, trolls and dragons. Families will delve into books and illustrations that feature magical beasts and shapeshifters including Beauty and the Beast illustrated by Walter Crane, a fold-out book of the Three Bears’ House and a beautiful manuscript illustration of a dragon from the Persian legend, the story of Darab. As they travel through the exhibition, visitors will come across an interactive troll bridge and a breakfast table set up for the Three Bears.

Fairy Tales will culminate in a ‘happily ever after’ inspired ending, where families can read through their favourite stories together, while marvelling at iconic tales from the British Library’s collection, such as the original manuscript of Alice’s Adventures Under Ground by Lewis Carroll. The final section of Fairy Tales will also encourage younger visitors to reflect on the infinite potential of storytelling and how magical tales continue to be retold and reimagined.

Laura Walker, Lead Curator Modern Archives and Manuscripts at the British Library said: ‘The exhibition invites families to explore the world of fairy tales through beautiful items drawn from the Library’s rich collection and beyond. It will be an opportunity to see wonderful original illustrations, books and puppets that shaped the perception of many iconic characters and how authors and illustrators continue to re-interpret them. Fairy tales have always sat at the heart of storytelling, and we hope that the exhibition encourages families to revisit their favourite tales and heroes, while also introducing them to stories from around the world and their many retellings.’

Rebecca Campbell-Gay, Family and Community Programmes Manager at the British Library said: ‘Fairy Tales brings to life the magical stories that continue to captivate readers around the world. Visitors will also have a chance to touch and feel the magic through interactive elements displayed across the exhibition, from potions and magical lamps to a troll bridge. We hope that the exhibition is a joyous adventure for families and an opportunity to experience the wonders of fairy tales and to re-discover what makes those tales so timeless.’

Fairy Tales will be accompanied by The British Library Book of Fairy Tales published in partnership with Hachette UK. Retelling 12 fairy tales from around the world including Little Red Riding Hood, Vasilisa the Beautiful, The Swineherd and The Jealous Sisters, the individual stories feature original illustrations by Erin Brown, Hung Duc Le, Jensine Eckwall, Tinuke Fagborun, Jiatong Liu and Anastasiia Panchenko.

Fairy Tales is open until 23 August 2026 at the British Library. Tickets are £13.50 (peak) and £11.50 (off-peak), with concessions available.

More info | Book Now

Are you a theatre, museum, puppet company or maker? I’d love to hear from you. Send press releases, images and news to hollylikespuppets@gmail.com if it involves puppets, it belongs here.

“The work is the thing. A unique portfolio will open more doors than a large follower count.”

The Studio Behind the Characters

Hidden away in New York, Furry Puppet Studio creates characters that millions of people have seen, often without ever knowing who made them. Founded in 2010 by Creative Director Zack Buchman, the studio has produced custom puppets for Apple, Nike, Nintendo, Casper, television, music videos and original productions through its sister company, Uncute Inc.

Unlike many traditional puppet workshops, Furry Puppet Studio brings together sculptors, engineers, costume makers, designers and performers to create expressive characters for screen. According to the studio, many projects begin not with a polished concept drawing, but with a simple doodle, with the team working together to discover “the essence of the doodle” before transforming it into a finished puppet.

For Holly Likes Puppets, Zack shares his journey into commercial puppetry, his creative process, and his thoughts on making a career in one of the world’s most unusual creative industries.

SEEING FACES EVERYWHERE

You are self taught and never went to college. What first pulled you toward puppets?

I think it started before I knew it was starting. From an early age I was putting things together to make faces, and I still do it. When I am tired I see faces everywhere, in a plug socket, in the front of a car, in fruits and vegetables. I just happen to get genuinely inspired by it.

How Puppetry Became My Career

What first inspired you to pursue puppetry professionally, and were there makers, films or experiences that influenced you?

I do not think there was one clean moment where I decided, this is my profession now. It was more that I kept returning to puppets no matter what else I tried. I moved to New York when I was 20, and the city has a way of showing you that unusual creative jobs can actually exist if you are stubborn enough. Puppetry sat in this place between sculpture, performance, comedy, design and production, and I was really attracted to characters and ways to bring them to life.

The influences were all over the place: Jim Henson, early Sesame Street, stop motion, strange European children’s films, old LucasArts games. What connected them was not style as much as the constraints of the medium. They all forced the creators to find clever ways to create the appearance of life with very little. There is something magical about that.

Inside the SoHo Workshop

Can you take us inside the studio?

It is smaller and calmer than people picture. It started as just me. These days it is a small team here in the SoHo studio, plus a wider group of specialists who come in and out depending on what the project actually needs: sculptors, mechanics, costume people, performers. We have shelves of books including many graphic novels, and puppets sitting around like quiet colleagues. It is a working space. The making is slow and physical. We carve each head by hand from foam, an engineer works out the mechanism, and a costume designer sews the fabric the way you would for a real person, so the character feels like it actually lives in those clothes. Near the very end we set the eyes. That last adjustment can change who the character turns out to be.

One thing that has changed a lot in the workshop over the years is the materials. For a long time nothing on the market matched what we needed, especially once fleece was stretched over a carved foam sculpture and had to hold up on camera, so we manufactured our own and called it dream fleece. These days we source specialty textiles through overseas partners instead.

Do you collaborate internationally or mainly with New York based artists?

The puppets are designed and built here in the New York studio, but the work itself travels. For Apple Japan we worked with Apple's team for two years on an iPhone campaign that was built in New York and shot in Tokyo, we've built a cast of monster puppets for a New Zealand based production, and we just wrapped projects in the UK and Japan. The language of puppetry is universal. It's truly beautiful.

How many different skills go into a single puppet?

Creating a commercial puppet rarely belongs to one person. I lead the studio creatively, but the work depends on specialists with very different skills. There is sculpting, where the character first becomes real in foam. There is mechanical design, because the puppet has to move and not just look good. There is costume design, because the clothing has to behave like clothing on a real body. And there is performance, because a puppet only fully comes to life in the hands of the right puppeteer. Those skills all have to meet in one object.

Take a look at some of the studio's work

Fisherman Puppet
Link: https://www.furrypuppet.com/blog/old-sea-dog/

This is a custom character built around an old fisherman. A good example of character design through sculptural elements and texture. You get a certain feeling even before the puppet starts moving.

Monster Puppets
Link: https://www.furrypuppet.com/blog/monster-puppets/
A cast of mechanized monster puppets we designed for a New Zealand based production. They’re very simple with effective mechanisms.

Desus Nice Puppet
Link: https://www.furrypuppet.com/blog/desus-nice/
The Studio created a custom likeness puppet built for Desus Nice

Anderson Cooper Puppet
Link: https://www.furrypuppet.com/blog/anderson-cooper-and-andy-cohen-custom-puppets-for-cnn/
We were commissioned to create likeness puppets of Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, built for CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast, where the two have co-hosted for close to nine years.

Refrigerator monster
Link: https://www.furrypuppet.com/blog/monstrous-appliances/

A talking refrigerator puppet with animatronic eyes, part of a set of appliance puppets we built for the energy company of Philadelphia.

All pieces designed and fabricated by Furry Puppet Studio in New York.

The Puppeteer Is as Important as the Puppet

A lot of our readers here are performers. How do you think about the relationship between the puppet and the person operating it?

In my mind the puppeteer is as important as the puppet. I like to have a performer in mind while I am still designing, and to be in the room for casting and rehearsal early. Sometimes the vibe of the person is so close to the vibe of the puppet that you cannot separate the two. The performer brings the breath and the timing, and it feels inseparable from the puppet.

On one music video we built marionettes of two well known musicians, and the choreographer brought in street performers who each came up over the years with their own way of controlling their marionettes. We rebuilt the insides of the puppets so they could carry that same energy, and watching it come together was a beautiful thing.

Why a Puppet Still Gets to People

Why do you think a puppet can still move people so deeply, even adults?

It seems that we are just wired that way. A cognitive scientist could probably answer this better than I can. We are always hunting for faces and for signs of life, and a puppet gives the brain just enough to latch onto. It is in the room with you, you can see it from every angle and touch it, and at some point you stop seeing the puppeteer entirely. I used to think this only worked on kids, but adults are often the ones who fall hardest.

Learning Without a Map

What would you say to someone who wants to make puppets but has no training and no idea where to begin?

Start, and don’t worry about making it right. Let the first few be bad. The physical part is a wonderful teacher because there is no undo button. You cut the foam, you commit, you work with what you’ve got, and you learn faster than you would on a screen.

Be honest about what you do not know. When you come in with genuine curiosity instead of a performance of confidence, people can appreciate that more and show you things. On formal training: it can be very useful, even though I skipped it. One place I would point people toward is the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Connecticut. It runs every summer and brings people from all over the world together with master artists. There is a pre-conference for people newer to the field. You learn a lot and you meet the community at the same time, which is probably more valuable than either thing on its own.

Zack Recommends

📚 Books and comics: It’s almost a cliche, but Maus really lives up to its reputation. Also, anything by Roz Chast makes me happy. Michael DeForge has really surprising and clever compositions, poses and character design. I never get tired of it.
🎬 Films and shows that shaped how you see puppets: classic Muppets. Also, I really recommend the old Fleischer Brothers Popeye cartoons. There’s so much experimentation and genius there. Truly inspiring.
🧵 Favourite materials: you can never find me without a Blackwing 602 pencil. I developed an addiction to watercolour a few years ago and I can’t even go to a restaurant any more without a drawing tool on me. It’s really out of control.

• Kuretake Gansai Tambi portable watercolour set of 14

• Palomino Blackwing 602 pencils, set of 12

• Muji pencil sharpener
  

Making a Career

What are your top tips for working professionally in the industry?

Keep making things. I know a lot of people are very focused on building an online following, and I understand why, but in my experience it is mostly a distraction. The work is the thing. A unique portfolio will open more doors than a large follower count, and the people hiring you are looking at what you made, not whether your work went viral once. Beyond that: learn to collaborate. Puppetry is not a solo pursuit, and the people who do well in this field tend to be genuinely good to work with. I care much more about someone’s spark than their CV.

How do clients usually find you?

The most honest answer is that the work itself has done a lot of the talking. Distinctive design style, proper credit and a clear portfolio have opened doors.

What makes a portfolio stand out?

What I am really looking for is whether you can tell it is someone’s work even when they are trying very different characters and experimenting with different styles. I really enjoy trying to figure out what the artist’s unique fingerprint is. I also pay attention to finish. For example, I would be embarrassed to put something out that did not meet a certain standard of detail, and what someone chooses to include in a portfolio tells you how they see things.

Recognition

Puppetry is a highly skilled art form, yet many makers and performers in the UK feel it does not always receive the same recognition as other theatre, film or visual arts disciplines. Is that something you have observed in the United States as well?

I think it has been undervalued, but puppets have never really needed permission. People file it under children’s entertainment and it can sometimes feel inadequate, but a puppet does something on a stage or a screen that almost nothing else can, and audiences feel that, and critics too. What I notice lately is a real hunger for things that are handmade and tangible, and that have an authentic emotional connection with the audience.

How can we make the puppetry community stronger?

I think online communities have done more to democratize this than almost anything else. People used to hold their technique pretty close, but now someone can post exactly how they built a mechanism, and a puppet maker on the other side of the world can build on it instead of starting from zero. It has pushed the craft forward faster than most people realize.

Find Zack

People can find the studio's work at Furry Puppet Studio and on Instagram at @furrypuppet. Our original characters and plush toys live at Uncute Inc..

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Update — July 2026: Final call! Wes Anderson: The Archives closes at the Design Museum on 26 July — you have one week left. The show has been hugely popular, so book ahead rather than turning up on the door.

More Info | Book Now

Original post 2025
Wes Anderson fans, rejoice! For the very first time, the iconic director’s work will be celebrated in a comprehensive retrospective exhibition. Produced by the Cinémathèque Française and the Design Museum, London, this touring exhibition offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the world of Wes Anderson like never before.

A Cinematic Exploration of Wes Anderson’s Work
Now on in Paris at the Cinémathèque Française until July 27, 2025, and moving to London’s Design Museum from November 21, 2025, to May 4, 2026, the exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in Anderson’s distinctive visual and narrative style. Whether you’ve been captivated by the melancholic charm of The Royal Tenenbaums, the whimsical adventure of Moonrise Kingdom, or the dazzling artistry of The Grand Budapest Hotel, this exhibition brings his filmography to life in a new way.

What’s Inside the Exhibition?
This unique exhibition will showcase a curated collection of original props, costumes, and exclusive behind-the-scenes materials from Anderson’s personal collection. For the first time, museum visitors will get to delve deep into the intricate process that defines his films — from the inspirations and homages that fuel his creativity to the meticulous craftsmanship that has earned him a devoted global following.

Highlights to Look Forward To:

• Iconic Set Designs and Costumes: Step inside Anderson’s instantly recognisable worlds with displays of the meticulous sets and outfits that have defined his films.

• Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Explore how each film comes together with original props, sketches, and personal memorabilia from the director.

• Thematic Showcases: Experience how the recurring motifs and themes across Anderson's work—such as familial bonds, adventure, and loss—play a central role in his artistic vision.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to his world, this retrospective promises a deeper appreciation of Wes Anderson’s visionary contributions to contemporary cinema.

Don’t Miss Out
This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition will also be touring starting June 2026.

Visit the exhibition in London!

More Info | Book Now

The 2026 Méliscènes Festival returns to the town of Auray and surrounding communities in Brittany from 7–21 March 2026. Now in its 25th edition, the festival is dedicated to puppetry and object theatre, presenting a wide range of contemporary performances for children, families, and adult audiences. (Ville Auray)

Organised by the Centre Culturel Athéna, the festival brings together around 32 shows and 90 performances by companies from France and beyond, staged across 24 communes in the Pays d’Auray, including coastal towns and the islands of Houat and Hoëdic. (Ville Auray)

Alongside theatre performances, the programme also includes workshops, public events, and a participatory artistic project titled “Un Appétit de Géant”, featuring giant puppets and collaborative creations with residents. (Ville Auray)

Below is a selection of performances from this year’s programme.

More info and Book

Opening Weekend

The festival begins with several performances on Sunday 8 March:

• Foreign Land – Cie Juste Après
  Athéna, Auray – 3:00 pm

• CASES – CréatureS Company
  Carnac – 5:00 pm
  (Also at Athéna on 11 March)

• The Bear – INDEX Company
  Landaul – 5:00 pm
  (Later performances in Brec’h and Athéna)

  
  

  More info and Book

Touring Performances Around the Coast

Several productions travel between towns across the region.

Teatro Golondrino presents two works:

• The Adventures of Jojo Golendrini
  Hoëdic – 9 March, 11:00 am
  Houat – 9 March, 6:30 pm

• The Escapee
  Quiberon – 11 March, 5:00 pm

Other touring productions include A Broom! by La Bobêche in Locmariaquer and La Trinité-sur-Mer.

Highlights at Athéna Theatre

The Centre Culturel Athéna in Auray hosts many of the festival’s central performances, including:

• Imagine the Rain – Tro-heol Company
  10 March, 8:30 pm

• My New Shoes – Tian Gombau
  11 March, 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm

• Hector, the Extraordinarily Strong Man – La Bobêche
  14 March, 2:00 pm & 5:30 pm

• YSS – Collectif AÏE AÏE AÏE / Célia Hue
  14 March, 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm

• Uprooted – Collectif Les Becs Verseurs
  14 March, 7:00 pm & 15 March, 6:00 pm

Outdoor and Special Events

The programme also includes outdoor performances and participatory events.

The Sowing Ritual – A Giant’s Appetite by Compagnie Les Grandes Personnes invites audiences on a promenade through Auray with giant puppets, beginning from the Oasis at 3:30 pm on 14 March.

Other special events include:

• Evening of Small Forms – 13 March

• Radio Shows with Clémence de Clamard (RoiZIZO theatre) – 16–19 March

• The Happy Punchinello – roaming performances in Auray on 15–16 March

International Companies

The programme also features international artists, including the Kharkiv State Academic Puppet Theatre (Ukraine) presenting:

Mons the Giraffe
Athéna – 20 & 21 March, 7:00 pm

Final Weekend

The festival closes with several major performances:

• The Centerpiece – TAC TAC Company
  20–21 March

• Subjective Moon – Compagnie les Maladroits
  20 March

• Man’s Skin – Compagnie La Salamandre
  21 March

The closing event, “Under the Lightning: Stars and Glitter…”, takes place on 21 March from 6:30 pm, marking the festival finale.

Tickets for all performances are coordinated through the Centre Culturel Athéna in Auray, with booking available online or through the venue’s box office.

For the full programme and schedule, visit the festival website.

More Info and Book

As we step into 2026, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible year 2025 has been.

Launching two new Substack sites – British UNIMA and Holly Likes Puppets – has been a huge milestone. The response to both platforms has been fantastic and so encouraging. Thank you to everyone who has subscribed, shared, commented, and supported along the way – it really does make a difference and keeps me going.

Now that I’ve had more time to understand the platforms and how to use them effectively, I’ll be making a few changes over the coming months. I will continue to focus most of my time posting on BrUNIMA and a little less frequently on Holly Likes Puppets, but with fuller, more in-depth newsletters via HLP when big news comes along.

Please bear with me while I work through these changes.

Holly Likes Puppets – 2025 Highlights

This year I was delighted to:

• Support the Mark Crane film, including a special screening for British UNIMA

• Support Felt, which I is currently in production

• Sponsor The Labyrinth Experience & Masked Ball 2025 – a huge success

• Support Gobble

• Take part in fantastic online training with Judith Hope

• Hear about many of your 2026 touring projects, which I hope to feature more

• Posted some brilliant interviews – thank you to everyone who took part

Looking Ahead

I’m also thrilled to share that I’ll be spending June in Prague, taking part in the wonderful workshops with Puppets in Prague, inspired by Hollie’s brilliant article in the BrUNIMA Notebook.

For the latest workshops, festivals, and opportunities, keep an eye on the British UNIMA website:
👉 www.unima.org.uk

It’s absolutely jam-packed with opportunities, including the Penny Francis Grant, scholarships, and an upcoming event on Thursday 15th.

Thank you again for all your support – here’s to another exciting year ahead ✨

I’m so excited to share a project I’m proud to be part of — Gobble, a puppet short film created by sculptor and practical effects artist Ragwort. This dark comedy follows an old goblin wrestling with his ingredients as he tries to cook dinner deep underground. Think grimy kitchens, slimy creatures, and a stew that bites back.

What drew me to this film is its commitment to practical creature effects and puppetry — techniques that feel alive in ways CGI never quite can. The goblin himself was sculpted in clay, cast in silicone, and brought to life with puppetry that blends humour, danger, and just the right amount of weirdness.
The film is crafted with the same Hollywood magic seen in projects like Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, American Horror Story, and The Mummy — because that’s the world Ragwort has been working in for years. And now, with Gobble, he’s pouring that experience into his own darkly whimsical vision.

As an Associate Producer, I’ll be credited in the film and get to enjoy some amazing behind-the-scenes content: production diaries, the finished short, and even a poster. But more than that, I’m thrilled to help bring this goblin’s subterranean world to life.

✨ Watch this space for updates — I’ll be sharing more about the process as the project comes to life.
👉 In the meantime, you can follow the project here to see Ragwort’s goblin world unfold.

Gobble, gobble.

CLICK HERE FOR UPDATES

⚡️ Crowdfunding Closes Soon — Be Part of the Magic

The team behind FELT are in their final push to raise funds, and every donation truly makes a difference. Whether you're pledging £1 or £500, you’ll be helping bring an ambitious and emotionally rich story to life — complete with puppets, pathos, and poignant laughs.

🎯 This is an urgent call-to-action:
The campaign is flexible funding, but the sooner they hit their goal, the better this film can be.

🎥 What is FELT?

FELT is a short film about Dougie, a former folk singer who’s shut the door on music. That door gets kicked open when Noggin — a hopeful dreamer with studio gear and felt for skin — moves in next door.

The film explores:

• The tension between art and ambition

• The inner critic vs. the hopeful dreamer

• What it means to create even when it hurts

It’s Mike Leigh meets Jim Henson — a slice-of-life tale with puppets, but played completely straight.

From Writer/Director Robert Trott:

“This story means a lot to me because it started as an exercise in writing without thinking.
Now before you say ‘Yeah, it shows,’ what I mean is, I tried to not get in my way and overthink it into oblivion.
What surprised me most was how much I fell for our scrappy tale of dreams gone by, and whether the point is the succeeding, or the trying.

I found the more I wrote, the characters felt like the two battling parts of myself: the part that wants to stop pushing to make stuff because of the vulnerable fearlessness needed to share your art, and the endless dreamer who loves it all too much to stop.

I want to show what happens when those two values meet — and the magic of collaboration.”

Meet the Cast

This isn’t just a felt-fuelled fever dream — it’s packed with talent.

Chris Kendall – Performing Dougie (the puppet)

An established puppeteer and creature performer, Chris has worked on:

• Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

• The Sooty Show

• CBBC’s Andy and the Band

• ITV2’s Buffering
  And a slew of commercials, shows, and stage productions. Also an acclaimed puppet builder, his craftsmanship gives Dougie true soul (and decent posture).

Craig Haines – Playing Noggin

Craig and Rob (the director) have been building characters together since they were 10 years old. That kind of chemistry can’t be faked.
Craig’s most recent role was Cooper in Robert’s debut feature 4:00am, where he brought a depth and vulnerability that FELT will twist and play with.

🎙️ Also featuring voice talent across fake TV shows, call centres, and late-night ads. The whole world Dougie’s avoiding is coming to life in surround sound.

Pick Your Perk: Crowdfunding Rewards You’ll Actually Want

What You Get When You Back FELT

There’s something for everyone — whether you’re tossing in a quid or going full puppet-royalty. Every contribution helps bring FELT to life, and every backer gets a little something in return.

Backers at £5 get a heartfelt social media thank you — and might even bring a tear to the director’s eye (especially if the moon’s in the right phase). 🌕

At £10, you’ll receive a private link to the finished film, so you can enjoy it on your own terms, with your beverage of choice.

For £20, you’ll unlock a bundle of behind-the-scenes photos, videos, a digital copy of the script, and that all-important private screening link.

£30 gets your name in the Special Thanks credits at the end of the film — plus all the digital goodies above.

With £50, you’ll receive a Digital Fan Pack including poster artwork by Gordon Skalski, a backer-exclusive wallpaper, and a sneak peek at the score — on top of all previous perks.

At £75, we’ll post you a signed A5 physical poster, along with a personalised thank-you print. It’s real art, from real artists, for your real walls.

£100 gets you access to a live group Q&A Zoom call with Robert Trott and members of the cast and crew. Ask anything — filmmaking, felt, failure, festivals, or favourite snacks on set.

£250 lets you choose a 1-on-1 Zoom workshop in either script development, podcast production, or cinematography — a proper creative deep-dive with the team.

At £500, you’ll be credited as an Associate Producer on IMDb and receive a personal thank-you video from Robert and Dougie (puppet tears not guaranteed).

And for the bold-hearted, the £850 tier makes you an Executive Producer. You’ll get a character named after you, a Zoom call from the set, and every single reward tier included. Immortalised in felt forever.

🔗 Click here to back FELT now

💡 Why Support This?

• It’s a rare mix of authentic emotion and surreal visual storytelling

• It supports independent UK film at its most original and DIY

• You’ll be directly helping puppeteers, composers, artists, and emerging actors make something truly special

• You get cool stuff!

🧵 TL;DR

🎥 Short film called FELT
🎭 Puppet drama with a big heart
💸 Crowdfunding now with amazing rewards
⏳ Campaign closing soon — act fast!

🎁 Back the Project on Crowdfunder

More info and Support

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from our friends at Beverley Puppet Festival 🎭

They are currently working on the 12th edition of the festival, which they hope to present (funding dependent) from Friday 17 – Sunday 19 July 2026.

The Beverley Puppet Festival is a much-loved celebration of puppetry in all its forms — and this is your chance to be part of it!

📌 Artist Opportunity

The festival is now open for artist applications.

👉 Deadline: 30 September 2025
👉 Apply here: Artist Application Form
👉 More info: beverleypuppetfestival.com/artist-opportunities

As with every edition, programming is run through an open call, ensuring a wide range of voices, styles, and approaches are represented.

They particularly welcome applications from artists who feel under-represented in the puppetry and wider creative industries.

Why Apply?

Beverley Puppet Festival has long been recognised for its inclusive, diverse, and inspiring programme. Past festival artists have said:

“This was our first experience of Beverley Puppet Festival and we had an incredible time. The event more than lived up to our expectations, and we would love to come back in the future.” – 2018 Festival Artist

“It was great to be part of such an inspiring event, to see wonderful work, and to meet and connect with other practitioners.” – 2016 Festival Artist

“10 out of 10. We have only positive things to say about the experience.” – 2016 Festival Artists

Take a look at the 2024 festival here

Get Involved

If you’re an artist interested in performing, sharing, or creating work for Beverley Puppet Festival 2026 — don’t miss this chance!

👉 Apply by 30 September 2025
👉 Submit your application here

And if you’d like to keep up with future opportunities, make sure you join their mailing list or follow @BeverleyPuppetFestival on social media.

At the very top — the 10ft puppets of Ancient Giants by Inspirate are opening The Full Shebang Festival in Mansfield this week, colliding South Asian mythology with martial arts and large-scale puppetry. Elsewhere, Preston’s Encounter Festival is turning ten with its own parade puppet of Arthur Wharton, Bournemouth will glow with giant jellyfish and a moving wheel parade, and Ards Puppet Festival promises animal-inspired adventures for the Halloween holidays.

It’s been a busy season of celebrations — the British Puppet Guild’s centenary, the evolution of Puppet Place 48 with new sponsorship and awards from BrUNIMA and the Guild, and the promise of fresh British UNIMA member events and screenings coming soon. And alongside, there’s a packed month of workshops, a world of opportunities, and a new podcast Under the Puppet episode to enjoy.

Here’s what you’ll find inside this newsletter:

• 🎓 Workshops (online & in person)

• 🎭 Exhibitions in Rennes & Vitré

• 🌟 Opportunities (Puppet Place 48, Skipton, Tunbridge Wells)

• 🎧 Podcast feature

• 🎪 Festival highlights & giant puppets

• and more…

🎓 Workshops Coming Up

The new school year means a fresh slate of workshops, both online and in person. This month you can enjoy Extreme Puppetry with Blind Summit, table top people puppets with Judith Hope, shadow mechanisms, automata tinkering, Lambe Lambe theatre, family shows, and more…

👉 See the full collated list of September workshops

🎭 Exhibitions

The Journey of the Puppet: From Brno to Rennes

5–8 November 2025 | Lillico – Salle Guy Ropartz, Rennes
Step inside the magical world of Czech puppetry, a UNESCO treasure, and celebrate 60 years of Rennes–Brno friendship with Radost Theatre. Puppets, sketches, workshops, and guided tours bring this living tradition to life.
(Free entry, ages 8+)

More info

Puppets, Stories, and Spirit from Around the World

On now until 2 November 2025 | Maison des Cultures du Monde, Vitré
From Indonesian shadow figures to Vietnamese water puppets and Bolivian carnival spirits — this exhibition goes beyond display into ritual, resistance, and play.
(Free entry)

More info

🌟 Opportunities

Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival — Festival Director Call-Out

Apply by 30 September 2025
The much-loved biennial festival is seeking a passionate, creative Festival Director to lead it into its next exciting chapter. With a focus on world-class puppetry and community engagement, this part-time, flexible role (freelance fee) is an opportunity to shape the future of puppetry in Tunbridge Wells.
👉 Apply with CV & expression of interest: alisontwpf@gmail.com

More info | Apply

Puppet Place 48 — with British UNIMA International Award

12–14 September (Challenge Weekend) · 19 October (Finale)
Create a brand new puppet film in just 48 hours! This year British UNIMA sponsors the International Award, celebrating puppetry voices across borders. With additional prizes including the Inclusive Puppetry Alliance Award, there’s space for everyone.

More info | Apply

Artist Call-Out: Beverley Puppet Festival 2026 ✨

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from our friends at Beverley Puppet Festival 🎭

They are currently working on the 12th edition of the festival, which they hope to present (funding dependent) from Friday 17 – Sunday 19 July 2026.

The Beverley Puppet Festival is a much-loved celebration of puppetry in all its forms — and this is your chance to be part of it!

More info | Apply

Skipton International Puppetry Symposium 2025 — Booking Open!!

17–18 October 2025 | Skipton Town Hall, North Yorkshire
Two packed days of panels, workshops, networking, and celebrations.

More info | Book Now

The 2026 touring list is live and growing. Submit your show or see what’s happening across the UK. Browse it by genre and type, view them all here!

Want to be listed? Email hollylikespuppets@gmail.com

🎧 Listen

Under the Puppet Podcast — Jeanne Lauren
Creature-shop artist on Return of the Jedi, puppet designer at Skyana, and biker cameo in Howard the Duck.
👉 Listen here

🎪 Festivals This Autumn

• First Art — The Full Shebang Festival — East Midlands, UK | 6 Sept
  Catch the spectacular 10ft puppets of Ancient Giants by Inspirate, a dazzling mix of South Asian storytelling, martial arts, and large-scale puppetry. Alongside, catch circus, drumming, Aardman animation workshops, and more

• Encounter Festival — Preston, UK | 20–21 Sept
  A tenth anniversary celebration of outdoor arts with puppetry at its heart — look out for the giant Arthur Wharton parade puppet leading the Torchlight Procession, alongside Inspirate’s Ancient Giants, live music, dance, and a fireworks finale.

• Arts by the Sea — Bournemouth, UK | 26–28 Sept
  This year’s theme We Are Here brings a bold line-up of music, circus, walkabout theatre, and light installations — from giant glowing jellyfish to Parade: The Giant Wheel, a moving spectacle of community and performance.

• UNIMA International @ World Festival of Puppet Theatres — Charleville-Mézières, France | 21–27 Sept
  Gatherings, talks, and convivial evenings for puppeteers worldwide — including the launch of UNIMAGAZINE, international aperitifs, and discussions on collaboration and women in puppetry.

• Ards Puppet Festival — Northern Ireland | 26–27 Oct
  A family-friendly Halloween alternative: puppet shows, making workshops, and animal-inspired adventures. The full programme drops 18 Sept — expect top international companies and plenty of hands-on fun at Ards Arts Centre.

View the full list of festivals coming up and to apply for here

That’s plenty of news for now — from workshops and festivals to exhibitions and opportunities, I hope there’s something here to spark your imagination.

If you have an event, exhibition, or story you’d like featured in the next newsletter, do let me know. This space works best when it carries all our voices.

Holly

🎭 Workshop: Engineering with Feeling

Instructor: Tyler Stuart
📅 September 14, 2025
🕐 1:00 – 4:00 pm (Central Time)
💻 Online (via Zoom)
💲 $30 | Ages 13+ | Max 20 participants

Description:
In this workshop, Tyler Stuart introduces playful, practical methods for solving common mechanical challenges in puppet design — like eyes, legs, and arms. By working with simple mock-ups, participants discover not only technical solutions but also creative sparks for future builds.

“Engineering with feeling” means looking at mechanics not as cold calculations, but as part of gesture, movement, and life. You’ll come away with a new appreciation for how engineering and emotion work hand-in-hand in puppetry.

👉 Register here
👉 More info

🧰 Required Materials

Please assemble these materials in advance of the workshop:

• String

• 3–4 large beads or balls with holes through them

• Tubes of various lengths (plastic or metal tubing)

• Elastic cording (bungee or rubber bands)

• Roll of tape (duct, gaff, or gorilla tape)

• T-pins or thumb tacks

• Cardboard or foam-core sheets

• Needle nose pliers

• Scissors

• Drill with drill bits (if available)

• Hole punch (if available)

• Wooden sticks (popsicle sticks, dowels, or paint sticks)

👤 Teaching Artist Bio

Tyler Stuart is a visual artist, designer, fabricator, and performer from Portland, Oregon who has worked within the entertainment industry for over two decades creating and performing puppets of various sizes and styles.

He has worked with Michael Curry Design, creating large-scale costumes, puppets, and props for clients such as Disney, Universal Studios, and Broadway venues. More recently, Tyler has ventured into the world of stop-animation, working on film productions such as Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio and the television series Tiny Chef and In The Know.

🔗 Learn more at tylerstuart.com

(Images: 2019 USH Triceratops ·

About Full Moon Puppet Arts

Open Eye Theatre partners with their long-time collaborators at Full Moon Puppet Arts to offer a new series of extraordinary workshops in 2025. These sessions are led by master practitioners and open to artists of all experience levels.

• Workshops happen on Zoom or in person.

• Online sessions are recorded and viewable for 1 week after the live event.

• For questions, email liz@fullmoonmpls.org.
  

  More Info | Book Now

  ---

Tucked inside the historic Maison des Cultures du Monde in Vitré, Brittany, this exhibition—Puppets: Characters and Stories from Asia—is a must-see for anyone with a love of puppetry, theatre, or world traditions. But more than just an “Asian puppets” display, this show quietly expands into a deeper exploration of ritual, resistance, belief, and beauty through the art of puppetry from across the globe.

Spread over two beautifully arranged floors in a building full of character and history, the exhibition is free to enter and easy to navigate—a hidden gem that rewards slow looking.

The Puppets

From the delicate shadow figures of Wayang Kulit in Indonesia to the vibrant, ceremonial marionettes of Yakshagana in India, the puppets here are exceptionally well-preserved and beautifully displayed. The descriptions are rich and accessible, often accompanied by maps, performance images, and fascinating videos that bring them to life.

The Vietnamese water puppets (Múa Rối Nước) are a standout—bright, theatrical, and gleaming with lacquer. A video beside the display lets you watch these puppets perform on water, complete with splashes, cymbals, and pyrotechnics. It’s funny, clever, and filled with dramatic flair.

Other treasures include:

• Myanmar’s Yoke Thay Thabin marionettes, used in court and religious storytelling, ornately painted and full of expression.

• The Tiv people’s Kwagh Hir from Nigeria, where satire, myth, and transformation mix in a genre-defying form of puppet theatre and dance.

• The Diablada of Oruro, a Bolivian carnival dance where demons and angels clash in a mythic battle, fusing Catholic and Andean belief systems.

• The fierce, chaotic energy of Calonarang from Bali—a trance-based exorcism ritual performed through dance-drama.

Films & Context

What truly elevates the exhibition is the accompanying film material. In one room, a screen shows full water puppet performances. In another, you see puppeteers at work, festivals in action, and rituals performed in their original contexts. You’re not just looking at museum pieces—you’re stepping into living traditions.

The introductory text anchors the show in a thoughtful curatorial frame: puppets are not just entertainment—they are vessels of belief, used to affirm, question, and sometimes subvert the spiritual and social systems they emerge from. These are stories of gods, demons, workers, rulers, animals, and ancestors—told in miniature but carrying immense weight.

The Venue

The Maison des Cultures du Monde (French Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage) is a delight in itself. Nestled in a Benedictine priory, the venue exudes a quiet reverence—perfect for taking in these often-spiritual objects. The staff are kind and passionate, and there’s a real sense of care in how the exhibition has been mounted.

This is a place that knows how to honour tradition, not just display it.

Final Thoughts

This exhibition isn’t just for puppet lovers—it’s for anyone curious about how cultures tell their stories and how artistry can express the sacred, the political, and the playful all at once.

Whether you're drawn to the flamboyant costumes of Bolivia’s Diablada, the spiritual duels of Balinese trance dance, or the subtle elegance of a Burmese marionette’s painted expression—you’ll find something to spark the imagination here.

🧳 Add it to your itinerary if you’re in Brittany this autumn.
🎟️ Entry is free. The experience is priceless.

More Info

BrUNIMA - British UNIMA

Puppets: Characters and Stories from Asia

From now until November 2, 2025, the Maison des Cultures du Monde in Vitré, Brittany invites you to step into a spellbinding world of shadows, stories, and spiritual symbolism with its exhibition…

Read more

a year ago · BrUNIMA

An enchanting exhibition and workshop at Lillico – Salle Guy Ropartz, Rennes, running 5–8 November 2025. Step inside the magical world of Czech puppetry, a UNESCO treasure, and celebrate 60 years of Rennes–Brno friendship.

A Puppet Adventure Lands in Rennes ✨

Friends, this one feels like a treasure chest being cracked open in the heart of Rennes, France. Puppets—those wooden dreamers strung together with thread, history, and imagination—are taking center stage in a special exhibition: The Journey of the Puppet.

It’s not just an exhibition you’ll tiptoe through quietly (though you can if you like). Instead, it’s a proper adventure: tracing the Czech puppetry tradition from 1940 to 2020, thanks to the incredible Radost Theatre. You’ll see it all—sketches, designs, hand-carved wonders, and those little flickers of artistry that slowly turn drawings into living, moving characters.

And here’s the sparkle: you don’t just look at the puppets… you get to pick one up and try it yourself. Because puppets are made to dance, stumble, laugh, and whisper stories—not just sit in glass cases.

More info

The Fun Bits (a.k.a. When You Should Definitely Come)

The exhibition is free (yes, free!) and open to everyone, with special workshops + guided tours where you can actually make and manipulate a puppet. Perfect for kids (8+) and equally perfect for the kids still hiding inside us grown-ups.

📅 Mark these dates:

• Wednesday 5 November 2025
  – Exhibition open: 10am–12pm & 2pm–6pm
  – Guided tour + puppet-making workshop at 3pm

• Thursday 6 November & Friday 7 November 2025
  – Exhibition open: 10am–12pm & 2pm–6pm

• Saturday 8 November 2025
  – Exhibition open: 10am–12pm
  – Guided tour + puppet-making workshop at 10:30am

More info

About Lillico 🌱

The home of this puppet adventure is Lillico – Salle Guy Ropartz, a theater with a big heart. Lillico has always been about children, young audiences, and families, and its mission is rooted in sharing, play, and creativity.

It’s exactly the kind of place where wooden marionettes from Brno can waltz into Rennes and feel at home.

Practical Magic ✨

📍 Lillico – Salle Guy Ropartz
14 rue Guy Ropartz, 35700 Rennes

📧 billetterie@lillicojeunepublic.fr
☎️ 02 99 63 13 82
🌐 www.lillicojeunepublic.fr

Photo: © Jef Kratochvil
With love & support from: City of Rennes · City of Brno · Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic · Czech Center in Paris

More info

Begin a fascinating journey into the miniature world of Teatro Lambe Lambe puppetry and learn how to design and build your own fully working theatre box!

This November, join award-winning Brazilian puppeteer and maker Fagner Gastaldon (PuppetSoup), the UK’s leading specialist in Teatro Lambe Lambe, for an interactive online course designed for beginners through to experienced professionals.

More info | Book Now

🕒 Course Times

• 12pm EST (USA) / 5pm UK time

• 8 live sessions across 4 weekends

All classes are live and interactive (not pre-recorded) and the group is capped at 10 participants maximum to ensure a friendly, personal, and high-quality learning experience.

🌎 Who is it for?

This course is suitable for:

• ✨ Total beginners curious about puppetry

• 🎭 Experienced puppet makers and performers expanding their craft

• 🌍 Learners from the USA, Canada, the UK, and beyond (international-friendly timings)

🎪 What is Teatro Lambe Lambe?

Teatro Lambe Lambe is a unique Brazilian puppetry tradition described as “the last great invention of animation theatre in the world.”

Performed inside a small, portable theatre box, shows last just 2–5 minutes and are often viewed by a single spectator at a time. Within this tiny world, puppeteers use ingenious staging, puppets, and tricks to create rich, magical experiences on an intimate scale.

🛠 What you’ll learn and create

Over 8 sessions of expert tuition with Fagner Gastaldon, you will:

• Discover the history, heritage, and techniques of Teatro Lambe Lambe

• Design and build your own miniature theatre box

• Make your own micro puppets and staging

• Receive guidance in performance skills

• Work towards finishing a show ready to perform

You’ll need some basic household tools (scissors, pliers, hot glue gun, etc.), and a simple materials list will be provided on booking.

🎓 About your tutor

Fagner Gastaldon is a multi award-winning puppeteer from Brazil, specialising in Teatro Lambe Lambe for over 20 years. He holds an Honours Degree in Puppetry from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (London), where he also teaches up to postgraduate level.

PuppetSoup is also delighted to be partnering again with the National Capital Puppetry Guild (USA) to offer a scholarship place on this course.

📩 Book Your Place

Ready to join this magical journey?

👉 Click here to book now or email info@puppetsoup.com for a simple booking form and more details.

⚡ Spaces are very limited (max 10 participants) – early booking recommended!

🌟 We can’t wait to welcome you into the wonderful world of Teatro Lambe Lambe this November!

More info | Book Now

As a huge fan of Judith Hope and her utterly brilliant workshops, I am so happy to share news of her brand-new ONLINE course: Table top People Puppets.

I cannot recommend her enough — Judith’s sessions are always inspiring, full of practical tips, and delivered with warmth, humour, and generosity. Her teaching has a way of making you feel both capable and creatively fearless.

More Info | Book Now

About the Workshop

Over five consecutive days, Judith will guide you step-by-step in designing and constructing expressive table top puppets in human form. Whether you want to create a lifelike figure or a whimsical caricature, she’ll show you the techniques to bring a character to life.

📅 Dates: Monday 8th – Friday 12th September 2025
🕒 Time slots: 12:00–13:00 or 18:00–19:00 UK time (GMT)
💻 Location: Online via Zoom
🎟 Spaces: Limited — and her workshops always sell out!

You don’t need all your materials in advance (though you can gather them if you prefer), and you can work at your own pace outside of the live sessions. Each class is one hour, with plenty of time for questions and detailed demonstrations.

More Info | Book Now

Suggested materials (these are the materials Judith will be using on the
course – Judith will also make suggestions for alternative materials in the
lessons).

Polystyrene balls or eggs ( I used 8 cm and 10 cm)
Fimo air light
Dowel (preferably hardwood) I used 12mm - 15mm)
Small piece of leatherette or similar
Styrofoam (as it is called in the UK. If you are in the U.S.A. this is not what you
call styrofoam! Please check before purchasing or wait to see what is used on
the course).
Bamboo skewer or narrow dowel
Brown parcel paper
Sandpaper
Tissue paper
Gorilla glue
PVA Glue (Elmers Glue)
UHU glue
Pritt stick glue
Acrylic paint
Bungee cord
Coat hanger wire or similar
Toy eyes or similar
Strong thread
Standard 1mm wire

Tools
Craft knife or scalpel
Glue gun
Drill
Junior hacksaw
Scissors
Bradawl/nail, etc
Wire cutters
Bolt cutters (if possible – if not wire cutters will suffice)
Paint brushes
Secateurs
Sharp nose pliers
Vice or adjustable work bench

Why I Rate Judith So Highly

I’ve already taken at least four or five of Judith’s other courses, and every single one has been inspiring, interesting, and hugely motivating. The way she teaches makes complex ideas feel accessible, and her tips are always practical and thoughtful.

The sense of community she creates in her workshops is just as valuable as the skills themselves — you leave not only with new techniques, but also with a network of friendly, like-minded makers. I always finish her classes feeling energised and full of ideas, and I can’t recommend the experience enough.

More info | Book Now

Explore Judith’s Work

• 🌐 Website: judithhope.com

• 📸 Instagram: @judithhopepuppetmaker

If you’ve ever been curious about puppet-making — or simply want to be inspired by someone at the top of their craft — I wholeheartedly recommend grabbing a ticket before they’re gone.

Get ready for a fun-filled day of puppetry, games, and creativity at the upcoming Summer Puppet Event! Whether you’re a seasoned puppeteer or just curious to give it a go, there’s something for everyone — perfect for the whole family! Come for the puppets, stay for the fun!

🎭 Puppetry Extravaganza
Step into a welcoming environment where you can try your hand at puppetry with professional kits and puppets. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you'll find yourself surrounded by fellow puppet enthusiasts. Who knows? You might end up learning a few tricks from someone with years of experience or making new friends who are also trying puppetry for the first time!

🎉 Fun and Games
What’s a puppet event without a little fun? Get involved in puppet charades, exciting games, or try out some lip-sync karaoke and belt out your favourite tunes! Plus, there might be a surprise craft activity — it’s all about having fun and unleashing your creativity. 😉

🍕 Pizza, Ice Cream, and More!
All that puppetry fun can work up an appetite! Our lovely hosts at EPK Social will have pizza, drinks, and ice cream available throughout the event. So you can take a break, enjoy some treats, and then jump right back into the action. Just make sure not to feed the puppets — they’re too busy to snack! 😜

🛍️ Makers Market
Are you a creator with your own merchandise? Bring your creations to the Makers Market! Whether you’re shopping or selling, you’ll find unique and fun items to enjoy or gift. From quirky buttons to charming stickers, there’s something for everyone.

🩹 Puppet Hospital
Got an injured puppet? Is your favourite puppet in need of some repairs? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Bring your puppets to the Puppet Hospital where talented puppet-maker Emily will be on hand with her trusty needle, thread, and glue to help your puppets heal. You can also check out her incredible work on Instagram at @adec_tupholmeart.

Event Details:
🗓 Date: August 24th
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Location: EPK Social, 1 Walworth Road, London SE17 1GA
💰 Entry: FREE

This is a fantastic day out for everyone — whether you're a puppet lover, a creative spirit, or just looking for a fun, family-friendly activity. For more information or any questions, feel free to follow the event on Instagram at @puppetthings and @wanskermonster.

Subscribe now

Thank you so much for subscribing to Holly Likes… Puppets. Whether you’re here for inspiration, opportunities, a call for artists (like the Smethwick Puppetry Festival 2026!), or just a glimpse behind the curtain of this fantastic artform, or maybe you’ve got something to share yourself? Thank you!

This newsletter began as a simple attempt to gather together the kinds of puppet-related info I was always searching for but couldn’t find in one place. Over time, it’s grown into something more — a place to share brilliant workshops, highlight inspiring artists, spotlight shows and festivals, and connect with others who love puppetry in all its forms. I also try to shine a light on the many brilliant puppetry organisations already out there, one of which I am supporting with web, newsletter and social media is British UNIMA, where you can find some international puppet treats.

In this month’s edition, I’m really excited to share a mix of things that feel especially joyful and worth celebrating: a packed list of collated August workshops and events (please do let me know if I’ve missed any — this month or future), a spotlight on two brilliant projects Holly Likes… Puppets is proud to support, and updates from our friends at Puppet Place, Puppet Podcast and the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. You’ll also find an interview with puppet maker Chelsey Lee from one of the new puppetry podcasts, a peek behind the scenes of the epic puppet Zee in Bradford, and a handful of exhibitions and festivals you might want to catch while the sun’s still shining.

🎬 Projects HLP is Proud to Support

It is a real joy to back bold ideas in puppetry from new independent films to major fan celebrations. Here are two creative projects HLP is thrilled to support this year:

The Tragicall Historie of Ophelia Eve – Coming 2025

We were proud to support the production of Mark Crane’s striking new puppet-led film, The Tragicall Historie of Ophelia Eve Therein the Dominion of Fancy, now in post-production.

This surreal story follows Ophelia Eve as she questions the divine rulers of her world, told through a blend of puppetry, shadow work, and visual storytelling.

Due late 2025
Featuring: Lyndie Wright MBE, Ronnie Le Drew, music by Ell Kendall, and cinematography by Alexandra Tanase

📸 Behind-the-scenes glimpses via @dominion_of_fancy

The Labyrinth Experience & Masked Ball 2025

Holly likes.. Puppets is thrilled to be an official sponsor of The Labyrinth Experience & Masked Ball 2025 a licensed fan celebration of Jim Henson’s beloved fantasy film, hosted by Thames Con with support from The Jim Henson Company.

🗓 25–26 October 2025 - Wycombe Abbey, High Wycombe, HP11 1PE

The two day event includes talk, workshops and special guests including
Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Wendy, Brian & Toby Froud, William Todd-Jones, Nigel Plaskitt, Jocelyn Stevenson, and more to come.

More Info | Book Now

The 2026 touring list is live and growing. Submit your show or see what’s happening across the UK. Browse it by genre and type, view them all here!

Want to be listed? Email hollylikespuppets@gmail.com

🎧 Puppet Podcasts to Plug Into

There’s a new podcast in town, and one that’s been quietly building a fantastic archive of interviews with puppeteers around the world.

Puppet Place Cast

A brand new podcast from the team at Puppet Place in Bristol, exploring the strange magic of bringing inanimate objects to life. Episode one is out now and dives into the world of puppetry from a maker's perspective.

Puppet Podcast

Hosted by Caroline Bernier-Dion, this international podcast spotlights puppeteers from around the world in English, French and soon Spanish.

A great episode to check out: Chelsey Lee, puppeteer and maker from the North West of England. She’s worked on Sarah & Duck, Moominvalley, and recently helped build Zee for BD:Festival 2025. She also co-founded Moth Physical Theatre and has made creatures for film, theatre and museums.

🎧 Listen to Chelsey Lee on The Puppet Podcast

August Workshops

There’s a lot happening this month — from in-person build sessions to international online intensives:

• Animate the River: Help Build the Avona Puppet (Puppet Place)
  11 August

• Create Miniature Worlds from Found Objects (Online with Joel Sass)
  17 & 24 August

• August Workshops at Little Angel Theatre
  Throughout August

• 6-Day Puppet Making & Performance with John Roberts
  17–23 August (Devon)

• Toy Theatre I & II with Roberto Rossi (Online)
  18–24 August and 25–31 August

• Puppets & Prosecco (Norwich)
  29 August — craft, sip, laugh, repeat

Full schedule of collated workshops

Spotlight on Puppeteers

Highlighting a puppeteer or team that’s in the thick of a new project, creating, devising, experimenting, and sharing. If you're working on something new or weird or exciting and want others to see it, email hollylikespuppets@gmail.com.

Featured this month: Samuel Pearson

Samuel reflects on his journey and shares what’s next as a Supported Artist for SO Festival 2025/26 Read his story here

Also in the archive: Kathleen Yore (Odd Doll Theatre):,Mark Crane, and a few glue-gun misadventures from yours truly.

Opportunities for Artists

Call for Submissions: Smethwick Puppetry Festival 2026

Smethwick Puppetry Festival have opened applications for their February 2026 programme!

Whether you’re a seasoned festival favourite or stepping into the spotlight for the very first time, this is your chance to bring your creativity, characters, and craft to an audience ready to be enchanted.

📅 Application deadline: Friday 29 August 2025
📍 Apply via Eventotron → Search for Smethwick Puppetry Festival 2026

More info and apply here

Click to View Opportunities

From Our Friends in Chicago

The Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival has launched a free online archive. Performances, articles and educational resources for puppeteers, scholars and fans alike.

Chicago Puppet Archive

The Festival has also just launched something magical for the global community:
People in Puppetry — A Global Gallery

📸 Check out the gallery and add yourself

DID YOU SEE!! Zee & the City – Bradford 2025

On 26 July, Bradford’s streets were buzzing as a fearless four-metre puppet named Zee led an unforgettable street adventure through the city for BD:Festival 2025 created by Puppets with Guts.

To see some of the fabulous films and behind-the-scenes pictures, follow
👉 @puppetswithguts on Instagram

The Creative Dream Team included:

Artistic Director & Original Concept: Ivan Thorley · Music: Christella Litras · Poet: Kauser Mukhtar · Dramaturge: Kully Thiarai

Puppetry Director: Sarah Calver · Puppet Design: Nick Barnes Puppets · Puppet Design Associates: Caroline Bowman, Oli Simonon · Puppet Makers: Holly Groves, Georgina Smith, Caz Hicks

Puppeteers: Akash Heer, Ashton Owen, Bright Ong, Parkey Abeyratne, Amber Rose Perry, Bertie Harris, Julian Brett, Larissa Pinkham, Mima Beauchamp, Sonia Wrightson, Dan Armstrong

Puppet Sculpting & Coordination: Chelsey Lee, Caroline Bowman, Oli Simonon · Puppet Making Work Experience: Grace Handy, Joshua Glynn, Maria Liu ·

View the FULL creative team and the story behind it here

Thank you for being part of this wonderful, creative, occasionally chaotic puppetry community.

💌 Got something to share for next month? Reach out at hollylikespuppets@gmail.com

See you in September!

Our friends at Smethwick Puppetry Festival have flung open the stage curtains for 2026 — and they’re looking for brilliant artists and companies with shows that involve puppetry to join their magical line-up.

Whether you’re a seasoned festival favourite or stepping into the spotlight for the very first time, this year’s open application process is your chance to bring your creativity, characters, and craft to an audience ready to be enchanted.

📅 Festival dates: 14th–22nd February 2026 (half-term holiday)
📅 Application deadline: Friday 29th August 2025

How to Apply:

1. Log in or sign up for a free account at: Eventotron

2. On the homepage, click Festivals and Seasons

3. Search for Smethwick Puppetry Festival 2026

4. Click Apply and fill out the form

Need a hand? Drop a line to laura@bctouring.co.uk or call 0121 533 7129.

More info and Apply

The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival has just launched something magical for our community, People in Puppetry: A Global Gallery!

Imagine a living, growing map of puppeteers, designers, builders, curators, teaching artists, directors, filmmakers, everyone who makes puppet theatre possible. Now imagine your face in it. Yup, this is your moment.

Jump in now → Check out the Gallery
Add yourself. Share it. Tell your puppet friends in every corner of the globe. Let’s make this gallery overflow with creativity.

Bonus Perk for Joining In

Once you’ve added yourself, you’ll get an invite to take a short, anonymous Survey of Puppeteers — helping the Festival learn how to support artists like you even better.

And… as a thank-you, you could win a 2026 Festival Artist Button — your golden ticket to free entry (pending available seats) at any show in the 2026 Festival.

P.S. You don’t have to be in the gallery to take the survey — but why wouldn’t you want to?

The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival invites you to go further, refine your craft, and make your miniature performance truly shine.

In Toy Theater II, master puppeteer Roberto Rossi will help you expand your skills—perfect for graduates of Toy Theater I or those with prior puppetry experience. Together, you’ll explore the techniques that turn charming small-scale shows into visually rich, emotionally engaging spectacles.

Over five live sessions, you will:

• Discover advanced articulation and mounting methods for puppets

• Create multi-layered stages to enhance depth and perspective

• Use lighting to focus attention and create atmosphere

• Refine the dramaturgy of your piece for maximum impact

• Present your work in a final online showing

📅 When: Aug 25–31, 2025 (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
🕖 Time: 7–9 PM CDT
💵 Cost: $250

💡 New to Toy Theater?
Take Toy Theater I (Aug 18–24) the week before—then roll straight into Level II for the full journey.

🎟 Early Bird & Multi-Workshop Discount:
Register at least 2 weeks before or sign up for both workshops to save 15% with promo code PUPPETLOVE.

✨ Hosted and run by the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, the largest puppetry event in North America, dedicated to promoting peace, equality, and mutual understanding through the art of puppetry.

🔗 Register for Toy Theater II here

More info | Book Now