6-Day Puppet Making & Performance Workshop with John Roberts
17th - 23rd August 2025 - A Fantastic Opportunity for Puppeteers and Enthusiasts in Devon!
Looking for an exciting opportunity to develop your puppet-making skills this August? Join renowned puppet maker and performer John Roberts for a fantastic 6-day workshop in the beautiful Devon countryside! This is a hands-on, immersive experience where you’ll craft your own puppet, bring it to life with performance, and leave with a video of your final creation.
Course Details:
Dates: 17th – 23rd August 2025
Location: 1 Venton Oak Cottages, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6DW
Tutor: John Roberts (PuppetCraft)
Course Fee: £660 (includes all materials, tools, and instruction)
Deposit: £100 required to book your spot
Accommodation: Available nearby (details provided upon request)
Travel: Accessible by car or train (Totnes station is 3 miles away)
What You'll Be Doing:
Over the course of this 6-day workshop, you’ll learn how to carve, paint, costume, and perform with your very own puppet. John will guide you step by step as you create a puppet from scratch, perfecting its movement and adding personal touches. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have crafted a finished puppet, performed a short piece, and recorded a video of your final performance.
This course is ideal for anyone who’s already done a bit of puppet work or has attended one of John’s previous workshops. If you're new to the craft, there’s still room to learn, but some preparation (or prior workshop attendance) is necessary.
Key Highlights:
Make Your Own Puppet: You’ll carve your puppet, add eyes, hair, and costume, and refine its movement.
Create a Short Performance: Once your puppet is ready, you’ll devise a short piece and rehearse it with guidance from John and musician Rachel Miller, who will provide music for your performance.
Record a Video: On the final day, you’ll record your puppet performance, leaving you with a video to showcase your hard work!
Small Group Size: With only 4 participants, John will be able to give you individual attention and cater to your specific needs and ideas.
Fantastic Workshop Space: The workshop takes place in a cozy shed under a large oak tree, providing a peaceful and inspiring setting for your creative work.
What You’ll Need to Bring:
Fabric for your puppet’s costume
Closed shoes or boots (for safety while carving)
Rain gear (the walk to the loo is a short one, but you never know!)
A packed lunch (tea and coffee are provided, but lunch is on you)
What’s Provided:
All the tools, wood, and other materials you’ll need for your puppet
Expert tuition from John Roberts, one of the leading puppet craftsmen in the UK
Tea and coffee throughout the week
Accommodation & Travel:
Accommodation is available at local B&Bs (ranging from £40 to £70 per night), or if you’re after something more rustic, camping and caravan options are available upon request. The workshop is located in Dartington, a short drive from Totnes, and there’s a taxi service from Totnes train station.
Food is not included, but there are local shops and pubs nearby for your convenience. After your hard work, you’ll also find plenty of sightseeing opportunities in the area – from Dartmoor to the beaches, there’s lots to explore in your downtime!
Book Now:
Spaces are limited to just 4 people, so make sure to book your spot soon! A £100 deposit secures your place, with the remaining balance due closer to the workshop date. Email John Roberts at john@puppetcraft.co.uk or call 01803-867778 to reserve your space.
About John Roberts:
John Roberts is an expert puppet maker and performer with over 40 years of experience in the world of puppetry. As a director of PuppetCraft and a former director at Little Angel Puppet Theatre, John has worked on a variety of projects around the world. He was also the first non-Chinese person to train in puppet making and performing at the Quanzhou Puppet Theatre in China. John has taught puppet carving to adults for decades and is known for his inspiring teaching style and extensive knowledge of the craft.
Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to create a puppet, learn from a master, and have a bit of fun along the way!