Puppets on Parade: Life After the Final Bow
Theatre by the Lake's stage puppets are turning up in museums, galleries and now a film — here's where you can still meet them.
Now on until Feb 2027: TBTL's Puppet Sheep at Keswick Museum
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.”
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
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.