Newcastle Puppetry Festival: An Unforgettable Journey into the World of Puppetry
From April 19-27, 2025, immerse yourself in eight days of spectacular performances, creative workshops, and family-friendly outdoor theatre. This year’s festival brings something special for all ages
Get Ready for a Magical Celebration of Puppetry at Newcastle Puppetry Festival 2025!
Calling all puppet lovers, makers, and performers! Moving Parts Newcastle Puppetry Festival is back for its sixth edition, running from April 19th to 27th, 2025. This thrilling festival is bursting with jaw-dropping performances, hands-on workshops, engaging talks, and mesmerising outdoor theatre for all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned puppeteer or just dipping your toes into the world of puppetry, this festival promises something extraordinary!
What’s in Store?
Spectacular Outdoor Performances – Free & Fabulous!
Kick off the festival in grand style with the unmissable Toon Underground Parade on April 19th! Over 100 local residents and artists will take to the streets, bringing a wild mix of burrowing woodland creatures, a slithering Metro train, and larger-than-life fantastical beasts to Newcastle. Throughout the day, the city will be buzzing with incredible street performances, including the time-traveling antics of Victorian Time Travellers, the epic battle of Jabberwocky!, and the towering wonder of Delilah the Elephant!
Unmissable Shows & Jaw-Dropping Premieres
Step into a world of imagination with a diverse line-up of spellbinding performances. Highlights include:
Panta Rhei II (UK Premiere) – A poetic and dreamlike fusion of puppetry and mask theatre.
A Million Tiny Ants – A whimsical, shadow-puppet adventure filled with quirky humour and live music.
Wonder Play – A vibrant mix of shadow puppetry and colourful animation, perfect for young audiences.
Flotsam & Jetsam – A heart-warming story of friendship, brought to life with stunning puppetry.
Moving Parts Puppet Cabaret – A delightfully unhinged night of surreal and side-splitting puppet antics for adults!
Hands-On Workshops – Create, Learn & Unleash Your Imagination!
Ever wanted to build your own puppet or master the art of puppetry? Dive into expert-led workshops, including:
Beasts and Varmints – A 6-day intensive course with Judith Hope where you’ll bring your own mythical creature to life.
The Darker Side of Puppetry – Explore the eerie and avant-garde with Gavin Glover in this experimental masterclass.
Manipulating Marionettes – Discover the magic of string puppets with world-renowned puppeteer Stephen Mottram.
Puppet Olympics – Join the ultimate puppet-building showdown using recycled materials, then compete in wacky challenges!
Meet the Puppeteers – Up Close with the Masters!
This is your chance to get up close and personal with the genius minds behind the puppets! Join intimate Q&A sessions with some of the most innovative artists in puppetry:
Chloe Rodham – Discover how she crafts mesmerizing worlds and characters in her intricate puppet designs.
William Steele – Learn the secrets of storytelling in puppetry and how to breathe life into inanimate objects.
t’Magisch Theatertje – Hear from the artists behind Panta Rhei II as they share insights into their surreal and poetic performances.
Don’t miss these rare opportunities to gain insider knowledge, ask burning questions, and be inspired by some of the best in the business!
Join the Fun!
With performances and workshops across venues like Northern Stage and Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle Puppetry Festival is set to be a must-visit event in 2025. Many outdoor performances and drop-in workshops are completely free, so bring your family, friends, and your curiosity!
Don’t miss this chance to experience the wonder of puppetry. Book your tickets, mark your calendars, and prepare to be enchanted!
For the full schedule and bookings, visit newcastlepuppetryfestival.co.uk or follow @MovingPartsArts on social media.
See you at the festival!