2018

Festival Archive

A huge metallic robot puppet towers above a busy crowd in a city street. People gather on both sides, filling the street as they watch the towering figure. Shop signs and old brick buildings line the street.

The first Nottingham Puppet Festival took place from 22–25 March 2018, following a three-month lead-in of workshops, talks, creative opportunities and artist residencies. It was instigated by the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, produced with City Arts and Nottingham Trent University, and supported by puppeteer Stephen Jon.

Across four days, puppetry filled the city: from a mechanised hippo and giant Iron Man to delicate marionettes and shadow theatre. The festival closed with a spectacular parade of puppets, including an elephant. At its heart was the landmark production War Horse at the Royal Concert Hall, the show that inspired Nottingham to launch a joyful celebration of puppetry in all its forms.

Video

Stats

1,512 Workshop Participants

22,117 Audience Members

390 Days of Employment for Artists

Highlights & Feedback

A smiling puppeteer performs with a large wooden puppet that has a long face and painted features. The puppet is draped in green fabric and held upright, while the performer looks off to the side with a joyful expression.

Highlight

The festival mascot, Maid Marionette, was designed and built by puppet maker Alison Duddle. During the festival she toured local schools.

Audience Feedback

“What a tremendous event for Nottingham! Brilliant performers and superbly curated and organised. Many thanks for bringing the Puppet Festival to Nottingham!”

Two large, life-sized horse puppets from the production War Horse are performed by puppeteers in front of a grand white building with tall columns. One horse is black and the other is reddish-brown, both made of intricate sculpted materials and operated by visible performers in costume.

Highlight

Audience members had the chance to meet the War Horse puppets outside Theatre Royal Nottingham.

Programme

Poster for the Nottingham Puppet Festival, held from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 March 2018. The bright turquoise design features illustrated Nottingham landmarks with large puppets, including a whale, robot, horse and dragon. The text reads: 'Bringing the city to life with puppets and people' Logos for City Arts, Nottingham Trent University, the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, and Arts Council England appear at the bottom.

Download the 2018 Nottingham Puppet Festival programme.

Download