Discovering the art of puppet making and the role of puppetry in British theatre is an adventure steeped in history and creativity. The UK offers a variety of museums and theatre venues that educate visitors about traditional British puppet making and puppetry arts. These institutions, many of which are situated in historic London, provide a unique insight into the rich legacy of puppets in British culture.
The Little Angel Theatre – London
The Little Angel Theatre in London is arguably one of the best places to learn about traditional British puppet making. It is not just a theatre, but a creative and educational hub for puppetry. In addition to their engaging puppet shows, they also offer workshops and courses in puppet creation and manipulation.
Here, you will learn about the intricate process of puppet making, from designing and carving to stringing and controlling the marionettes. They also delve into the rich history of puppetry, showing its evolution over centuries and its importance in British theatre. One of the theater’s most popular courses is the ‘Introduction to Puppet Making,’ which provides hands-on experience in creating your very own puppet.
The Little Angel Theatre’s dedication to puppetry arts makes it a must-visit for anyone interested in British puppet history and craft.
The Puppet Theatre Barge – London
Another London theatre dedicated to the art of puppetry is the Puppet Theatre Barge. This floating theatre has been enchanting audiences for over 30 years with its innovative marionette productions, making it a central player in the British puppetry scene. The Barge not only showcases puppet performances but also provides an insightful introduction to the art of puppet making.
Seeing a puppet show on the Barge is a unique experience, but their occasional masterclasses are the real draw for those looking to learn about puppetry. These classes are taught by experienced puppeteers and cover various aspects of puppet making, from designing and creating to puppet manipulation.
The Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood – London
London continues to embrace its puppetry roots at the Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood. This museum houses an impressive collection of puppets from the past 300 years, including some traditional British marionettes.
A visit to the museum will give you a comprehensive overview of the history of British puppets, from their use in 18th-century street performances to their role in contemporary theatre. The museum’s puppet collection includes shadow, rod, glove, and string puppets, showcasing the variety in puppet making techniques over the years.
Though the museum does not offer puppet making workshops, studying the collection provides a deep understanding of the craft and history of British puppetry.
Norwich Puppet Theatre
Outside of London, the Norwich Puppet Theatre is another excellent destination for puppetry enthusiasts. This theatre boasts a fantastic program of puppet shows and workshops, all dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of puppetry.
The workshops at Norwich Puppet Theatre focus on different aspects of puppet making and puppetry arts, including puppet manipulation, shadow puppetry, and making marionettes. It’s an excellent place to learn about the craftsmanship that goes into puppet making while also enjoying a variety of puppet performances.
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction – Cumbria
For a unique take on British puppetry, visit The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Cumbria. Here, you can experience puppet interpretations of the famous Beatrix Potter stories, with characters brought to life in the form of beautifully crafted marionettes.
Though not a traditional puppet theatre, this attraction offers a unique opportunity to see British puppet making in action. The detailed marionettes are a testament to the skill and creativity involved in puppet making, and the performances offer a charming blend of theatre and storytelling.
In conclusion, the UK offers a variety of exciting locations for learning about traditional British puppet making and puppetry. Whether you’re in London or venturing further afield, there are many opportunities to delve into the rich history of British puppetry and even try your hand at creating your own puppet. The magic of puppetry awaits!
The British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild – Nationwide
The British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild is a nationwide society that brings together puppet enthusiasts from all over the UK. Established in the early 20th century, the Guild has played a significant role in promoting and preserving the art of puppetry in the UK.
Guild members include both professional puppeteers and amateur enthusiasts, making it a vibrant community where knowledge and skills are shared. Workshops and events are held frequently, offering an excellent opportunity to learn puppet making techniques from experienced practitioners. Here, you’ll be introduced to diverse puppet types such as glove puppets, rod puppets, and the iconic Punch Judy style puppets, which are a staple of British puppet theatre.
What sets the Guild apart is its extensive library of books and publications. For those serious about puppet making, these resources provide invaluable insights into the craft’s history and techniques. Many of these publications feature the work of Bob Pelham, renowned for his creation of the popular Pelham Puppets, which are a shining example of traditional British wooden puppets.
Participation in the Guild’s activities not only educates about puppet making but also immerses you in a community passionate about preserving this traditional British art form.
The Puppet Place – Bristol
The Puppet Place in Bristol is a puppet resource center and production studio that champions the puppetry arts. As the UK’s leading puppetry organization outside of London, it offers a wealth of resources for aspiring puppet makers and puppeteers.
The Puppet Place provides a space for puppet artists to create and collaborate, hosting regular artist residencies. These residencies result in a variety of puppet performances, ranging from innovative marionette theatre to cutting-edge shadow puppetry.
Workshops are an integral part of The Puppet Place, with courses in puppet making, manipulation, and performance. These workshops provide hands-on experience and are led by industry professionals, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the puppetry arts.
Unique to The Puppet Place is their biennial Bristol Festival of Puppetry. This international festival brings together puppeteers and puppet makers from the United Kingdom and beyond, providing an opportunity to learn from the best in the field and see a wide range of puppetry styles in action.
From the historic museums of London to the innovative spaces of Bristol and the nationwide network of the British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild, the UK certainly has a lot to offer when it comes to learning about traditional British puppet making.
Experience the charm of a marionette theatre, explore the rich collections in the museum Victoria and Albert or the museum London, and marvel at the craftsmanship of wooden puppets. Whether you’re a puppetry novice or an experienced enthusiast, these locations offer a wealth of knowledge and practical skills, as well as a deep appreciation of the rich history of British puppetry.
Embrace the opportunity to connect with a community that shares a love for this distinctive art form. Whether you’re keen on creating your own puppet or simply intrigued by the history of this early-century craft, the magic of puppetry is just waiting to be discovered. Get ready to be captivated by the world of strings, rods, and dramatic storytelling that is British puppet theatre.