A Million Tiny Ants by Matthew Robins
The 6th edition of Newcastle Puppetry Festival ran 19th - 27th April 2025. Spanning 9 days at indoor and outdoor venues across the city, the 2025 programme presented shows, workshops, talks and films for adults, kids, teens and families. The festival included 2 weeks of community workshops resulting in the Toon Underground parade at Exhibition Park and a two week exhibition at the Great North Museum: Hancock. Shows at Northern Stage included the UK premieres of 'Cantos Animata' and 'Panta Rhei II by t'Magisch Theatertje.
Taking part in the puppetry festival was a very rewarding experience, I had fun from start to finish, and I got to make a giant turnip, I couldn't've asked for anything more."
– Parade Participant, 2025
2025 Festival Gallery
Take a look at the 2025 brochure
Artists
Bean Pig Puppets, Bell & Bullock, Bryony McCombie-Smith, Chloe Rodham, Freddie Hayes, Gavin Glover, Grandly Strange Puppet Theatre, Jo Feijo / Moving Parts Arts, Judith Hope Puppet Maker, Kain Penny Playground, Keep Drawing Charlie!, Headstrung Puppets, Lempen Puppet Theatre, Life & Limb Puppets, Matthew Robins, Pui Lee, Rag & Bone, Red Thing Creations, Rosie Bristow, Stephen Mottram, t'Magisch Theatertje, Tatwood Puppets, The OBJECT Project, William Steele
Funders
Made possible through funding from Arts Council England, Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, National Lottery Community Fund 'Awards for All', Nexus, The Barbour Trust, Hadrian Trust, StreetGames Newcastle.
Partners and Venues
Northern Stage, Great North Museum: Hancock, Von Fox Promotions, Illumination Theatre Services, Life & Limb Puppets.
Toon Underground Parade
Artistic Director / Concept: Kerrin Tatman
Engagement Lead: Tamsin Rees
Moving Parts Producer: Izaak Gledhill
Assistant Producer: JonJoe Clennell
Lead Parade Artists: Chloe Rodham, Judith Hope, Rosie Bristow, William Steele
Assistant Artists: Ellie Hand-McCready, Mark Rogerson, Pui Lee, Rose Richardson, Tom Saunders
Other Parade Performers: Bell & Bullock, Dan Brown, Dave Silk, Ladies of the Midnight Blue, Matt Wood, Ryan Barker, The Bangshees
Illustration: Becky Musgrove
Technical Manager: Louise Gregory
Videography and Photography: Von Fox Promotions
Parade community groups: 92 Beats Theatre Company, Children NE: FAB Group, Lemington Scouts, Moving Parts Ambassadors, Newcastle Youth Circus, Ngage NE Ltd, The Bangshees, The Bostey Project, The Elders Council and The Varnish Women. A huge thank you to all individual residents, families and festival volunteers who made the project possible!
Click for more on Toon Underground Parade
Click for more on 2025 Meet the Puppeteer series talks and watch videos
A huge thank you to our funders and partners for making the 2025 festival possible!
