New Biography of Walter Wilkinson – Recommended by Dr. Malcolm Knight
Today, we want to shine a spotlight on the Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre (SMPC) in Glasgow, a hub for the preservation, practice, and promotion of puppetry arts.
At BrUNIMA, we love to share exciting new resources for puppetry enthusiasts. Today, we’re highlighting a fascinating new book recommended by Dr. Malcolm Knight, Executive Director of the Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre and Chair of Puppeteers UK: On the Verge – The Biography of Walter Wilkinson by Alison Henessey.
A Book Recommendation from Dr. Malcolm Knight
Walter Wilkinson was a pioneering English puppeteer and author, best known for traveling across the UK and America with his puppet show, The Old Encumbrance. His work blended artistry and social commentary, and his observations on culture and society remain strikingly relevant today.
This well-illustrated biography is divided into two parts:
Wilkinson’s Life Story – chronicling his experiences, travels, and development as a puppeteer.
His Philosophy & Cultural Impact – exploring his observations on social change, the benefits of simple living, and his unique puppetry techniques.
A passage from Wilkinson’s book The Peep Show captures his enduring perspective on society:
"This world might be quite a nice place if only simple people would be content to be simple and be proud of it; if only they would turn their backs on those pompous politicians and ridiculous Captains of Industry…"
Alison Henessey, drawing from a private collection of Wilkinson family archives, has brought Wilkinson’s story to life in a way never seen before.
Where to Buy
Copies of On the Verge are available for £40 (paperback) plus p&p from the publisher's shop at maskandpuppet.co.uk.
Spotlight on the Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre
The Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre (SMPC) in Glasgow is a hub for the preservation, practice, and promotion of puppetry arts. Founded as an internationally renowned arts centre, SMPC is dedicated to the sustainable growth and development of mask and puppet theatre. The centre operates as a permanent theatre, museum, and education institute, offering a wealth of resources to puppetry enthusiasts and professionals alike. Their work is guided by a hands-on, 'learning through doing' philosophy, ensuring that puppetry remains a vibrant and accessible art form for all.
The centre’s activities include:
An annual public programme of shows, workshops, and events
A museum and documentation centre housing collections and archives
An education unit with a research library and audio-visual collection
Cultural animation projects, professional training, and international residencies
Touring exhibitions, mask work, publications, and book sales
For a deeper look at their work, check out this short film of SMPC:
We encourage all puppetry enthusiasts to explore this book and support the Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre in their mission to preserve and celebrate this extraordinary art form!