August Puppetry Round-Up: Artist Callouts, Workshops & New Voices
A monthly look at what's happening in puppetry. Workshops, shows, makers and stories.
Hello lovely puppet folk,
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.
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 AugustCreate Miniature Worlds from Found Objects (Online with Joel Sass)
17 & 24 AugustAugust Workshops at Little Angel Theatre
Throughout August6-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 AugustPuppets & Prosecco (Norwich)
29 August — craft, sip, laugh, repeat
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
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.
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!