A rare chance to glimpse an endangered craft
Have you ever wanted to understand how marionettes are performed and perhaps get a glimpse of an incredible, complex marionette bridge from backstage? Well coming up at Little Angel Theatre is an exciting event, supported by the Curious School of Puppetry, which might be one of your last chances to do so.
Despite it being one of our most longstanding and skilled heritage artforms, there are currently only a handful of theatres in the UK that have the capability to host a long-stringed marionette production: literally, no more than six, with the Little Angel Theatre one of the last remaining. Back in 1961 John and Lyndie Wright reimagined a former temperance hall as this remarkable puppet theatre, which over sixty years later remains not only at the core of Islington’s creative community, but is one of the leading puppetry companies in Britain, its work celebrated worldwide.
Bridge in 1961, with Ronnie
le Drew in the wings below!
Today, however, it finds itself having to archive some of the historical set materials that have until now been so lovingly kept in use. Beautifully crafted, hand-painted backdrops from years of inspiring, imaginative productions are due to be put into storage in order to preserve them. A special celebration day at the theatre on Saturday 26 July will allow visitors a final chance to view these pieces – artworks in themselves – alongside some of the original, hand-made puppets that performed against them, before they are archived for the foreseeable future.
John and Lyndie’s passion for puppetry has been inherited by their daughter Sarah Wright, who in 2015 found the Curious School of Puppetry, now one of the most prestigious, leading-edge and exciting puppetry training organisations in the country. An artist-led body, it promotes expertise, imagination, craftsmanship and collaborative processes, with its alumni including some of the most exceptional puppeteers in the UK, if not the world. Supporting this celebration, Curious School will assist by offering live demonstrations of some of the original, exquisite puppets against their historic settings.
Both Sarah and Oliver will give talks explaining the vital importance of marionette craft today, sharing insights into its current endangered state and outlining Little Angel’s plans to secure its future. There will additionally be opportunities for small groups to take a backstage tour and see the workings of the bridges for themselves.
This event takes place on 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟲.𝟯𝟬–𝟴.𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺. It includes a 45-minute presentation with Q&A, followed by an optional backstage tour in small groups. Entry is by donation, with no booking required, so just turn up at Little Angel Theatre’s main venue in Dagmar Passage for this unique and important opportunity.
