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Generations of young people have grown up with
puppets. From Punch and Judy in the good old days of your adult
mates, to more recently The Fraggles and Basil Brush. Puppets are
as loved today as they ever were.
The Norwich Puppet Theatre has been entertaining
lovers of this very special kind of theatre for more than 20 years,
but it's not just young people who have an enthusiasm for puppets.
"It is popular with older audiences," said
Puppet Theatre manager Ian Woods. "We
have people phoning us up saying 'We've borrowed a child for the
day so we can come to the Puppet Theatre?'
"We always like to reiterate that puppetry
is for everybody, so be a bit brave come to the front door and enjoy
a show," said Ian.
Norwich Puppet Theatre |
The theatre, in a converted Medieval church, has
a main auditorium with 190 seats and a studio space of 50.
The studio space, is an intimate space, and is
a good way for young children to experience theatre for the first
time.
June Hutton, a former administrator for the theatre,
worked there in the early days and has fond memories. She said it
doesn't seem like 21 years at all, because there is so much variety
in her work.
"Puppetry has changed over the years. It's not
quite so much painted sets and scenery and puppeteers who are perhaps
dressed in black and not seen at all. The puppeteers are actually
a good bit of the show now and are seen as much upfront as the puppets
are."
Like many productions at the theatre, the recent
Christmas production of Hansel and Gretel is told in an artistic
manner using rod, glove and shadow puppetry drawing on visual theatre
and live music.
Scene from Jack and the Beanstalk |
The work of Norwich Puppet Theatre extends beyond
its Norfolk home.
Hansel and Gretel toured Norfolk and Suffolk schools
during the Autumn and there have been performances of Thumbelina
in Spain, Jack and the Beanstalk in Slovenia, and Harlequin in Trouble
in Mexico.
Mr Woods said that the future looks rosy for the
theatre. One of only two in the country, it has built a sound financial
base and is looking forward to more exciting projects.
Judging by the laughter and applause from the children
in the audience, its success is likely to continue.
See details of Norwich
Puppet Theatre Programme: September - January 2004 »
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