When: 22nd – 25th March 2018
Where: Across Nottingham
£: Ticket prices vary, depending on the event. Some events are free
What is it?
An iron man, giant pedal-powered creatures, a diabolical Mr Punch, a mechanical hippo and a host of marionettes will be taking over Nottingham this month for the city’s first ever Puppet Festival. The four-day event, taking place from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th March will celebrate the artistry of puppets and puppetry, along with the communities that inspire the stories they tell.
Local, national and international artists, both upcoming and old-hands, will be bringing their talents and demonstrating their skills at locations across the city, including the National Videogames Arcade, Nottingham Lakeside Arts, Broadway Cinema, Dance4 and Malt Cross Caves.
There will be a mix of shows for both families and adults, including the award-winning National Theatre production of War Horse, late-night puppet cabaret, political satire, as well as the retelling of classic stories; running alongside talks and workshops for both aspiring puppeteers and professional practitioners. Jamie Anderson, son of Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson, Spitting Image’s Pete Sinclair, Philip Pope and Steve Nallon, and Brian Herring who worked on the latest Star Wars films, will be amongst those talking about puppetry and the many different roles it has to play.
From the Friday to the Sunday, the Old Market Square will become a pop-up puppet village, from morning until night, with a medley of free street theatre, shows, workshops and music.
The festival will round off on the Sunday with a vibrant Puppet Parade, featuring characters of every shape and size, live music, special guests and a few surprises thrown in along the way.
The festival producers have been working with lots of different organisations to make the event as accessible as possible. Graeae, one of the country’s leading D/deaf and disability theatre companies, will be bringing their epic Iron Man (who is the size of a double-decker bus) to the festival.
Nottingham Puppet Festival has come together through a partnership between Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, City Arts and Nottingham Trent University, and made possible with funding from Arts Council England, Nottingham City Council, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature and Midlands3Cities.
More info: nottinghampuppetfestival.co.uk