Velma Von Bon Bon in the Moving Parts Puppet Cabaret
The 4th edition of Newcastle Puppetry Festival ran 8th-16th April 2023. Spanning 9 days at indoor and outdoor venues across the city, the 2023 programme presented shows, workshops, talks and films for adults, kids, teens and families. With many free events and ticketed shows ranging from £4 - £12 there was something for everyone. The lineup included UK premieres from Germany, France, The Netherlands and Spain. It also saw the culmination of community projects Teeny Tiny Toon and Wor Seahorse Spectacle, including a huge puppet parade in Newcastle City Centre.
"It’s so fantastic to have such a diverse, creative festival in Newcastle, bringing in more visitors to our fab region"
– Audience member, 2023
2023 Festival Gallery
Take a look at the 2023 brochure
Artists
Alison Duddle, Alison McGowan, Angel Exit Theatre, Bell and Bullock, Brook Tate, Cath Connolly, Duda Paiva Company, Enter Edem, Garlic Theatre, Glitzy Faces, Indigo Moon Theatre, Jesse Ward Bubbleologist, Judith Hope, Lauren Stone, Les Pieds dans la Lune Cie, Life and Limb Puppets, Long Nose Puppets, Merlin Puppet Theatre, Moving Parts Arts, Noisy Oyster, Paul Dewhurst, PuppetShip, Stephen Mottram, Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company, Swallows Wings Puppetry, Tatwood Puppets, Teatro Lafauna, Theatre Illumiere, The Barrow Band, The Object Project, The Magical Paper Theatre, The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, Tim Davies Design, Velma Von Bon Bon, Zannie Fraser
Funders
Made possible through funding from Arts Council England, Community Foundation, Creative UK, North of Tyne, Garfield Weston, Community Fund, Hadrian Trust, The Joicey Trust, Sir James Knott Trust, Arnold Clark Community Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.
Partners and Venues
Dance City, Seven Stories, Breeze Creatives, Newcastle Arts Centre, Life and Limb Puppets, Tatwood Puppets, Ouseburn Farm, The Cluny, Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle City Library, Magic Hat, Creative Projects, Von Fox Promotions, StageText
WOR SEAHORSE SPECTACLE Parade
Concept / Direction: Kerrin Tatwood
Engagement Lead: Vicky Tate
Producer: Becky Periera
Lead Artists: Calum Bruce, Chloe Rodham, Judith Hope, Kathleen Yore, Rosie Bristow, William Steele
Heritage Lead: David Silk
Assistant Artists: Ellie Phillips, Georgia Hill
Illustration: Rachael Horner
Animation: Chloe Rodham
Funders: The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, The Joicey Trust
Project Venue Partners: Brunswick Methodist Church, John Marley Centre, Newcastle City Library
A huge thank you to the 170 participants who attended puppet making and heritage workshops, and performed in the parade on Northumberland Street! Special thanks to participants from Arcadea Disability Arts, Curious Arts, Cullercoats Outdoor Swimmers, Jack Drum Arts, The Bangshees, Twisting Ducks Theatre Company and West End Refugee Service. Also to Bell & Bullock Street Theatre for being part of the parade!
Click for more on Wor Seahorse Spectacle Parade
Click for more on 2023 artist film commissions and watch videos
Click for more on 2023 Meet the Puppeteer series talks and watch videos
Click for more on 2023 Scratch Space artists and watch videos
