Norwich Puppet Theatre facts for kids
The Norwich Puppet Theatre is a unique place in the UK that is all about puppetry. It's located in Norwich, Norfolk, inside a really old medieval church called St James the Less, Pockthorpe. This church is a very important historic building.
Today, the theatre has a main room with 165 seats where you can watch shows. There's also a smaller studio with 50 seats. You can find workshops where puppets are made, an art gallery for exhibitions, a shop, and even a cafe. It's the only theatre in eastern UK that has shows for families all year round. Many different puppet companies from the UK and other countries perform here. The theatre also offers fun workshops for kids and adults.
The theatre gets support from local councils, like Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council. They also get help from foundations such as the Garfield Weston Foundation.
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The Theatre's Story
The Norwich Puppet Theatre was started in 1979 by Joan and Ray Da Silva. They were puppeteers who traveled around with their shows. They wanted a permanent home for their company. The theatre first opened its doors to the public on December 1, 1980. Before this, they had toured in other countries and were based in Cambridgeshire.
What You Can See and Do
The theatre is home to its own group, the Norwich Puppet Theatre Company. This company creates and performs its own puppet shows. They travel to schools and other venues across the UK. They also perform at international festivals and in other countries. Their shows have been seen in places like Canada, Finland, Spain, and Mexico.
The theatre loves to explore different puppet styles and ideas from around the world. They invite puppet companies from various countries to perform. They also share their own work abroad. They use many different puppet types, like rod puppets, glove puppets, and shadow puppets. They also use everyday objects, toys, and masks in their shows.
Special Celebrations
In 2010, the theatre celebrated its 30th birthday! They had many special events to mark the occasion. One exciting event was an auction of puppets that famous people had decorated. Some of the well-known people who helped were Rolf Harris, Heston Blumenthal, Michael Sheen, and Gary Lineker. Even famous authors and artists like Quentin Blake and Terry Gilliam contributed.
There was also a fun evening celebration and cabaret night. This event showed off many artists and performers who had been part of the theatre's history. You can even find a video of some of the performances online.
Shows You Might Know
The Norwich Puppet Theatre Company has performed many popular stories. Here are some of the shows they have put on:
- Pied Piper
- Thumbelina
- Red Riding Hood
- The Tinderbox
- Princess and the Pea
- The Frog & The Princess
- The Steadfast Tin Soldier
- Alice in Wonderland
- Snowhite
- Treasure Island
- James and the Giant Peach
- Pinocchio
Images for kids
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Norwich Puppet Theatre
