What’s on

Enjoy shows, talks, film screenings, workshops and free outdoor events at the Nottingham Puppet Festival.

Events

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Exhibition

The National Puppetry Archive

Dates of event: Until 25 Apr 2024

Mon - Thu, Daily Opening Time: 10:00am - Daily Close Time: 5:00pm

Venue Address: The Window Gallery at City Arts, City Arts, 11-13 Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 1FH

As part of the Nottingham Puppet Festival, the National Puppetry Archive present an exhibition of work by John M. Blundall (1937-2014). Blundall is best known for his early work in…

Exhibition

Laura Mathews’ Flying Puppets

Dates of event: 22 Mar 2024 - 24 Apr 2024

Mon - Sat, Daily Opening Time: 9:00am - Daily Close Time: 6:00pm

Venue Address: Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH

Laura Mathews has always been fascinated by biological mechanics. Her puppets are an exploration into the intricate dynamics of animal movement - partly to understand them, and partly to inhabit…

Show

Club Origami

Date of event: 6 Apr 2024 Event start time: 11:00am - Event end time: 11:45am

Venue Address: Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Rip, fold and scrumple!   Shall we see what we can make with a single square of paper?  As you scrunch the paper see how your imagination begins to dance…

Book Now: 'Club Origami'

Show

Club Origami

Date of event: 6 Apr 2024 Event start time: 1:30pm - Event end time: 2:15pm

Venue Address: Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Rip, fold and scrumple!   Shall we see what we can make with a single square of paper?  As you scrunch the paper see how your imagination begins to dance…

Book Now: 'Club Origami'

Show

Club Origami

Date of event: 7 Apr 2024 Event start time: 11:00am - Event end time: 11:45am

Venue Address: Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Rip, fold and scrumple!   Shall we see what we can make with a single square of paper?  As you scrunch the paper see how your imagination begins to dance…

Book Now: 'Club Origami'

Show

Club Origami

Date of event: 7 Apr 2024 Event start time: 1:30pm - Event end time: 2:15pm

Venue Address: Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Rip, fold and scrumple!   Shall we see what we can make with a single square of paper?  As you scrunch the paper see how your imagination begins to dance…

Book Now: 'Club Origami'

Exhibition

theOBJECTproject presents: Things We Lost in the Storm

Dates of event: 8 Apr 2024 - 21 Apr 2024

Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday: 10am-4pm, Daily Opening Time: 10:00am - Daily Close Time: 5:00pm

Venue Address: Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

The turbulence of day-to-day life; the decisions we make on the spur of the moment, the rush and the constant change of fortunes. All these moments and more are pondered…

Show

Eggbird and other String Puppet Stories + Workshop

Date of event: 8 Apr 2024 Event start time: 11:00am - Event end time: 1:00pm

Venue Address: The Vine Community Centre, Bobbers Mill Road, Nottingham, NG7 5GZ

Stephan Mottram opens a box of magical surprises, featuring beautiful string puppets which come to life as soon as they are touched. Full of visual and musical surprises, this is your…

Sold Out: 'Eggbird and other String Puppet Stories + Workshop'

Show

Eggbird and other String Puppet Stories + Workshop

Date of event: 9 Apr 2024 Event start time: 11:00am - Event end time: 1:00pm

Venue Address: Sheila Russell Community Centre, St Martin's Road, Bilborough, Nottingham, NG8 3AR

Stephan Mottram opens a box of magical surprises, featuring beautiful string puppets which come to life as soon as they are touched. Full of visual and musical surprises, this is your…

Book Now: 'Eggbird and other String Puppet Stories + Workshop'

Show

Eggbird and other String Puppet Stories + Workshop

Date of event: 10 Apr 2024 Event start time: 11:00am - Event end time: 1:00pm

Venue Address: Bulwell Riverside, 108 Coventry Road, Bulwell, Nottingham, NG6 8PS

Stephan Mottram opens a box of magical surprises, featuring beautiful string puppets which come to life as soon as they are touched. Full of visual and musical surprises, this is your…

Sold Out: 'Eggbird and other String Puppet Stories + Workshop'

Film Screening

The Adventures of Prince Ahmed + Live Score

Date of event: 10 Apr 2024 Event start time: 7:00pm - Event end time: 8:06pm

Venue Address: Broadway Cinema, 14-18 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AL

DIRECTED BY: Lotte ReinigerYEAR: 1926DURATION: 66minCERTIFICATE: PG Three years in the making, Lotte Reiniger’s beautiful 1926 silhouette animation brings to life magical tales from the Arabian Nights. The earliest surviving animated feature film –…

Book Now: 'The Adventures of Prince Ahmed + Live Score'

Show

Eggbird and other String Puppet Stories + Workshop

Date of event: 11 Apr 2024 Event start time: 11:00am - Event end time: 1:00pm

Venue Address: Brendon Lawrence Sports Centre, 35 Hungerhill Road, Nottingham, NG3 4NB

Stephan Mottram opens a box of magical surprises, featuring beautiful string puppets which come to life as soon as they are touched. Full of visual and musical surprises, this is your…

Sold Out: 'Eggbird and other String Puppet Stories + Workshop'

Talk

In Conversation with Nick Barnes

Date of event: 11 Apr 2024 Event start time: 5:00pm - Event end time: 6:00pm

Venue Address: Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Join us for this amazing insight into the world of puppet making. Award-wining puppet creator, Nick Barnes, who has created the puppets for the stunning production of Life of Pi…

Show

NoOne’s Land

Date of event: 11 Apr 2024 Event start time: 7:30pm - Event end time: 8:40pm

Venue Address: Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

45 minutes followed by 25 minute Q&AA scarecrow stands, eternally spiked to the same spot and with no chance of escape. Until one day he opens his eyes, discovers the…

Book Now: 'NoOne’s Land'

Show

Tea With Alice

Date of event: 12 Apr 2024 Event start time: 11:00am - Event end time: 12:00pm

Venue Address: Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

We’re late, we’re late for a very important date! Step into Alice’s story and follow her in this unique theatrical experience. Take a leap down the rabbit hole and take…

Book Now: 'Tea With Alice'

Show

Tea With Alice

Date of event: 12 Apr 2024 Event start time: 1:30pm - Event end time: 2:30pm

Venue Address: Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

We’re late, we’re late for a very important date! Step into Alice’s story and follow her in this unique theatrical experience. Take a leap down the rabbit hole and take…

Book Now: 'Tea With Alice'

Show

Tea With Alice

Date of event: 12 Apr 2024 Event start time: 3:30pm - Event end time: 4:30pm

Venue Address: Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

We’re late, we’re late for a very important date! Step into Alice’s story and follow her in this unique theatrical experience. Take a leap down the rabbit hole and take…

Book Now: 'Tea With Alice'

Show

Janet

Date of event: 12 Apr 2024 Event start time: 8:00pm - Event end time: 10:00pm

Venue Address: Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

8pm - Pre-show drinks and talks 9.15pm - Performance  Join us for a drink and some pre-show puppet talks. Spend some time with theOBJECTproject Exhibition, meet some quirky puppet characters, and…

Book Now: 'Janet'

Outdoor Event

Inspirate – Ancient Giants

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 11:00am - Event end time: 11:30am

Venue Address: Listergate, Nottingham, NG1 7DE

Gods & Demons from ancient stories are brought to life in a family friendly street theatre show, creating an exciting fusion of large scale puppetry, martial arts, physical theatre and…

Outdoor Event Show

HandMade Theatre – Tell Me a Story

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 11:00am - Event end time: 12:00pm

Venue Address: Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH

Everyone has a story to tell and a memory to share. Unlock yours in this family adventure down memory lane, experience the stories of people, places and objects we hold…

Exhibition Workshop

By Our Hands Studio Open Day

Dates of event: 13 Apr 2024 - 13 Apr 2024

Morning, Daily Opening Time: 11:00am - Daily Close Time: 1:00pm

Venue Address: Unit 42, Sneinton Market, Nottingham, NG1 1DQ

The folk at By Our Hands We Make Our Way, welcome you to come and see, or join in to create unique, strange and wonderful puppets to tell new stories!Head…

Exhibition Outdoor Event Show

City Centre Day

Dates of event: 13 Apr 2024 - 13 Apr 2024

, Daily Opening Time: 11:00am - Daily Close Time: 4:00pm

Venue Address: City Centre, Nottingham,

Puppets are coming! Nottingham Puppet Festival will be taking over the city centre streets for a day of amazing puppet performances and parades.You’ll see Mahogany Carnival Design’s spectacular costumes, watch…

Outdoor Event

Mahogany

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 12:00pm - Event end time: 12:30pm

Venue Address: Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 2DT

Mahogany Carnival Design is a family of creatives who together make magical, interactive characters that interweave to make an exquisite kaleidoscope of colour and shape. Every piece is a moving…

Outdoor Event

Lempen – The Fisher and His Wife

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 12:30pm - Event end time: 1:30pm

Venue Address: Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH

A very, very long time ago there lived a fisherman, together with his wife, in a small cottage made of dirty old metal. They had everything they ever needed and…

Outdoor Event

Inspirate – Ancient Giants

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 12:30pm - Event end time: 1:00pm

Venue Address: Listergate, Nottingham, NG1 7DE

Gods & Demons from ancient stories are brought to life in a family friendly street theatre show, creating an exciting fusion of large scale puppetry, martial arts, physical theatre and…

Show

Charlie Comet and the Magic in the Attic

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 12:30pm - Event end time: 1:00pm

Venue Address: Children's Library, Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH

It’s summer which means one thing and one thing only for Charlie Comet; play! Swinging throughout the house, causing mischief with his trusty sidekick Jinx in tow, Charlie fills his…

Sold Out: 'Charlie Comet and the Magic in the Attic'

Outdoor Event

Mahogany

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 1:30pm - Event end time: 2:00pm

Venue Address: Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 2DT

Mahogany Carnival Design is a family of creatives who together make magical, interactive characters that interweave to make an exquisite kaleidoscope of colour and shape. Every piece is a moving…

Film Screening

The Muppet Movie

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 1:30pm - Event end time: 3:00pm

Venue Address: Broadway Cinema, 14-18 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AL

DIRECTED BY: James FrawleyCAST: Jim Henson, Frank OzYEAR: 1979DURATION: 91minCERTIFICATE: U The first Muppets movie tells the origin story of the gang; wherein Kermit the Frog meets a talent scout and heads off to Hollywood…

Book Now: 'The Muppet Movie'

Outdoor Event Show

HandMade Theatre – Tell Me a Story

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 2:00pm - Event end time: 3:00pm

Venue Address: Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH

Everyone has a story to tell and a memory to share. Unlock yours in this family adventure down memory lane, experience the stories of people, places and objects we hold…

Exhibition Workshop

By Our Hands Studio Open Day

Dates of event: 13 Apr 2024 - 13 Apr 2024

Afternoon, Daily Opening Time: 2:00pm - Daily Close Time: 4:00pm

Venue Address: Unit 42, Sneinton Market, Nottingham, NG1 1DQ

The folk at By Our Hands We Make Our Way, welcome you to come and see, or join in to create unique, strange and wonderful puppets to tell new stories!Head…

Outdoor Event

Lempen – The Fisher and His Wife

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 2:30pm - Event end time: 3:30pm

Venue Address: Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH

A very, very long time ago there lived a fisherman, together with his wife, in a small cottage made of dirty old metal. They had everything they ever needed and…

Show

Charlie Comet and the Magic in the Attic

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 2:30pm - Event end time: 3:00pm

Venue Address: Children's Library, Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH

It’s summer which means one thing and one thing only for Charlie Comet; play! Swinging throughout the house, causing mischief with his trusty sidekick Jinx in tow, Charlie fills his…

Sold Out: 'Charlie Comet and the Magic in the Attic'

Outdoor Event

Inspirate – Ancient Giants

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 3:00pm - Event end time: 3:30pm

Venue Address: Listergate, Nottingham, NG1 7DE

Gods & Demons from ancient stories are brought to life in a family friendly street theatre show, creating an exciting fusion of large scale puppetry, martial arts, physical theatre and…

Outdoor Event

Mahogany

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 3:30pm - Event end time: 4:00pm

Venue Address: Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 2DT

Mahogany Carnival Design is a family of creatives who together make magical, interactive characters that interweave to make an exquisite kaleidoscope of colour and shape. Every piece is a moving…

Show

Puppet Cabaret

Date of event: 13 Apr 2024 Event start time: 10:30pm - Event end time: 11:30pm

Venue Address: Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

A cabaret night with an entertaining twist! Join us on the Royal Concert Hall Level 4 foyer to enjoy a host of late-night short-form puppet shows. From the personal to…

Book Now: 'Puppet Cabaret'

Show

Dragon

Date of event: 14 Apr 2024 Event start time: 1:00pm - Event end time: 2:10pm

Venue Address: Djanolgy Theatre, Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Dragon is a visually stunning, fantasy puppet show, taking children (and families) on an exhilarating adventure. Mixing cutting-edge projection and digital animation with beautiful live puppetry, performed to a soaring original…

Book Now: 'Dragon'

Show

Dragon

Date of event: 14 Apr 2024 Event start time: 3:30pm - Event end time: 4:40pm

Venue Address: Djanolgy Theatre, Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Dragon is a visually stunning, fantasy puppet show, taking children (and families) on an exhilarating adventure. Mixing cutting-edge projection and digital animation with beautiful live puppetry, performed to a soaring original…

Book Now: 'Dragon'

Show

Life of Pi

Date of event: 15 Apr 2024 Event start time: 7:30pm - Event end time: 9:40pm

Venue Address: Theatre Royal, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show heads to Nottingham. Jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event…

Book Now: 'Life of Pi'

Talk

Cross-cultural Nestbuilding from ‘A Bird in the Hand Theatre’

Date of event: 16 Apr 2024 Event start time: 6:00pm - Event end time: 7:30pm

Venue Address: City Arts, 11-13 Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 1FH

In 2023 UK based puppet artist Alison Duddle was invited to collaborate with Paia, an art agency in Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdish part of Iraq. Alison has been working with…

Book Now: 'Cross-cultural Nestbuilding from ‘A Bird in the Hand Theatre’'

Show

Life of Pi

Date of event: 16 Apr 2024 Event start time: 7:30pm - Event end time: 9:40pm

Venue Address: Theatre Royal, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show heads to Nottingham. Jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event…

Book Now: 'Life of Pi'

Talk

Puppetry and its Integration in the Digital Arts: Robert Tygner & ClaireRoi Harvey

Date of event: 17 Apr 2024 Event start time: 11:00am - Event end time: 1:00pm

Venue Address: Nottingham Trent University, Waverley Building, Waverley Studio Theatre, Waverley St, Nottingham, NG7 4HF

Come and see two of the UK’s top puppeteers sharing their experiences and knowledge bringing creatures and animations to life for Film and Television; including features, series and advertising such…

Book Now: 'Puppetry and its Integration in the Digital Arts: Robert Tygner & ClaireRoi Harvey'

Talk

Puppetry and its Integration in the Digital Arts: Gustav Hoegen & Martin Rezard

Date of event: 17 Apr 2024 Event start time: 2:00pm - Event end time: 4:00pm

Venue Address: Nottingham Trent University, Waverley Building, Waverley Studio Theatre, Waverley St, Nottingham, NG7 4HF

We bring you the ultimate team of designer/artist and technician, Martin Rezard and Gustav Hoegen who are responsible for creating some of the most iconic animatronic creatures and human characters imaginable from films such…

Book Now: 'Puppetry and its Integration in the Digital Arts: Gustav Hoegen & Martin Rezard'

Talk

Using Puppetry in Sensory Spaces with Sue Pyecroft

Date of event: 17 Apr 2024 Event start time: 5:00pm - Event end time: 6:30pm

Venue Address: City Arts, 11-13 Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 1FH

Sue Pyecroft, co-founder of Bamboozle Theatre Company, introduces the work of Bamboozle and their approach to using puppetry with learning disabled and neurodiverse children and young people. Sue will discuss…

Book Now: 'Using Puppetry in Sensory Spaces with Sue Pyecroft'

Film Screening

Eraserhead + Intro

Date of event: 17 Apr 2024 Event start time: 7:00pm - Event end time: 8:30pm

Venue Address: Broadway Cinema, 14-18 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AL

DIRECTED BY: David LynchCAST: Jack Nance, Charlotte StewartYEAR: 1977DURATION: 89minCERTIFICATE: 15 A love story between a pencil factory worker and his girlfriend set in a dystopian industrial wasteland, this midnight classic is anything but a…

Book Now: 'Eraserhead + Intro'

Show

Life of Pi

Date of event: 17 Apr 2024 Event start time: 7:30pm - Event end time: 9:40pm

Venue Address: Theatre Royal, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show heads to Nottingham. Jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event…

Book Now: 'Life of Pi'

Show

Life of Pi

Date of event: 18 Apr 2024 Event start time: 2:00pm - Event end time: 4:10pm

Venue Address: Theatre Royal, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show heads to Nottingham. Jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event…

Book Now: 'Life of Pi'

Show

Life of Pi

Date of event: 18 Apr 2024 Event start time: 7:30pm - Event end time: 9:40pm

Venue Address: Theatre Royal, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show heads to Nottingham. Jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event…

Book Now: 'Life of Pi'

Show

Life of Pi

Date of event: 19 Apr 2024 Event start time: 7:30pm - Event end time: 9:40pm

Venue Address: Theatre Royal, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show heads to Nottingham. Jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event…

Book Now: 'Life of Pi'

Show

Life of Pi

Date of event: 20 Apr 2024 Event start time: 2:30pm - Event end time: 4:40pm

Venue Address: Theatre Royal, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show heads to Nottingham. Jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event…

Book Now: 'Life of Pi'

Film Screening

The Dark Crystal

Date of event: 20 Apr 2024 Event start time: 3:30pm - Event end time: 5:03pm

Venue Address: Broadway Cinema, 14-18 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AL

DIRECTED BY: Jim HensonCAST: Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank OzYEAR: 1982DURATION: 93minCERTIFICATE: PG In this immersive and fantastical adventure from the creators of the Muppets, a mystical planet has fallen under the barbaric rule of…

Book Now: 'The Dark Crystal'

Show

Life of Pi

Date of event: 20 Apr 2024 Event start time: 7:30pm - Event end time: 9:40pm

Venue Address: Theatre Royal, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show heads to Nottingham. Jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event…

Book Now: 'Life of Pi'

Show

Puppet Cabaret: Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre

Date of event: 20 Apr 2024 Event start time: 10:30pm - Event end time: 11:30pm

Venue Address: Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Eurovision Sock ContestEarth’s funniest footwear are back with their latest comedy hour. Fresh from a hit run at the Edinburgh Fringe they bring you a whole Song Contest for your…

Book Now: 'Puppet Cabaret: Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre'