When you hear the word puppet, your mind might automatically jump to childhood classic tv shows or children’s toys. But puppetry is much more than this.
Puppetry is a brilliant gateway into arts and culture. While it might look lighthearted and playful at first glance, it can actually tackle big, important themes – sparking conversations about identity, background, creativity and the stories we tell.
If you’re looking for a different kind of experience this summer, here is a taste of what’s waiting for you in our adult programme:
Meet Fred
4 June
Lakeside Arts, University of Nottingham
This darkly funny, internationally acclaimed satire follows Fred, a puppet fighting for his independence as his Puppetry Living Allowance is under threat. A hilariously subversive take on bureaucracy, disability rights, and what it means to be human.
Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppets do Shakespeare
27 June
Royal Concert Hall
Expect a ridiculous, high-energy hour of sketches, songs, and “sock violence” as Earth’s funniest footwear completely deconstructs the complete works of Shakespeare. It’s irreverent, hilarious, and strictly for ages 15+.
Little Shop of Horrors – 40th Anniversary + Intro
29 June
Broadway Cinema
For years, the only version of Frank Oz’s ebullient film adaptation of the smash off-Broadway musical was the theatrical cut, re-edited with a new, happy ending after test audiences reacted badly to the stage production’s darker, apocalyptic ending. Enjoy this 40th anniversary screening with the original ending restored in all its glory. Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene are star-crossed skid-row lovers brought together and nearly torn apart from a giant, man-eating plant from outer space.
This screening will be introduced by Nottingham Puppet Festival’s original co-producer, David Longford.
The Sex Lives of Puppets
29 and 30 June
Theatre Royal
Blind Summit Theatre are bringing The Sex Lives of Puppets to the Theatre Royal. Funny, shocking and often surprisingly tender, this collaboration with the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles creates a safe space to talk about sex in all its wonderous iterations.
Alice + Introduction
1 July
Broadway Cinema
Czech director Jan Švankmajer’s deliciously dark debut feature film is a loose adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s book. Inspired by folk art and puppetry, Švankmajer combines live action with his signature surrealist stop-motion animation in this film for children… perhaps.
This screening will be introduced by Daniel Keeling from Porlock Press.
Puppets on Screen
Talk followed by a screening of Fantastic Mr Fox
2 July
Broadway Cinema
Richard Pickersgill, Workshop Supervisor and Senior Armature Maker from Mackinnon and Saunders, will take part in a one-hour illustrated conversation with David Longford about puppetry in film. Mackinnon and Saunders have worked on a huge range of TV series and feature films including TV shows Postman Pat, Bob the Builder, Pingu and the new Clangers. Feature film work includes Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
The talk will be followed by a screening of Wes Anderson’s stop-motion animated take on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story Fantastic Mr. Fox at 7.30pm.
Celebrating Puppetry on Film and the Secrets Behind the Camera
4 July
The Waverley Studio, Waverley Building
A talk and Q&A for puppetry practitioners, designers, film professionals, and anyone interested in puppetry for screen.
Join Senior Lecturer at NTU Sean Myatt to explore how puppetry works behind the camera, from film productions to robotics research. Film character and creature designer Martin Rezard (Lucasfilm, Marvel, Harry Potter, Project Hail Mary) will share insights into character creation for major screen productions. Alongside this, specialists from the University of Nottingham will discuss human-robotic interaction, social robotics, and the Cobot Maker Space, connecting puppetry with emerging technology.
Nottingham Artists Puppet Cabaret
4 July
Theatre Royal
Join us for an evening of puppet cabaret with no strings attached! Curated and performed by Nottingham artists this entertaining experience will showcase home-grown skills and talent in the region. Experimental, funny, risky and engaging this special opportunity will show that puppetry can be made by anyone and about anything.
The Herds and Little Amal
Talk and Q&A
5 July
Broadway Cinema
A talk and Q&A for puppetry practitioners, artists, and anyone interested in large-scale public puppetry.
Join Sarah Loader, Executive Director of The Walk Productions, to explore the creation of Little Amal (the 12-foot puppet of a refugee child) and The Herds (life-size puppet animals fleeing climate disaster). Both projects use massive-scale puppetry to create emotional, political, and unmissable public encounters.
Sarah will discuss the artistic vision, complex logistics, and international collaboration behind these works. The Q&A will be hosted by freelance producer Bev Adams, whose research explores large-scale puppetry and climate activism.
Whether you enjoy live theatre, great cinema, or insightful industry talks, our programme offers a completely new perspective on what puppetry can be.
Explore the full grown-up line-up at the button below!