The Belgrade Theatre is proud to host Coventry Puppet Festival, presented by the British Puppet Guild to celebrate 100 years of British puppetry.
Step into a world of wonder and world-class puppetry as Coventry Puppet Festival takes over the Belgrade for a full day of celebration marking 100 years of the British Puppet Guild.
This family-friendly festival brings puppetry to life throughout the theatre with live performances, hands-on workshops, talks, and variety acts, that showcase the magic, history, and humour of British puppetry. From nostalgic classics like Sooty and Zippy, to newer faces like Hacker T Dog and Arthur Lager, there’s something for everyone.
What’s on throughout the day:
10.30am – 4pm:
Drop in Exhibitions & Workshops
Including the Toy Theatre Exhibition, and Puppet Exhibition by the Guild’s Chairman & Archivist Michael Dixon.
10.30am – 12noon & 2.30pm – 4pm: Weston Learning Space
Pauline Venables Drop-in Puppet Workshop
In this workshop Pauline will help you create your very own puppet.
10:30am – 4pm: Venue TBC
Melvin Rawlinson Puppet Workshop
Create your own puppet from sustainable materials with Melvin.
10:30am & 12.30pm: B2 Entrance
Uncle Tacko’s Flea Circus – Tony Liddington
11am: The Screen Room
Steve Hewlett Great Comedy Vents talk
(Pre-booking required – Free Tickets)
11am: Patrick Suite
Mastering the Art of Hand and Rod Puppetry with Parker Puppetry
(Pre-booking required – Tickets – £25)
11am & 2:30pm: Outside Main Entrance – Belgrade Square
Miraiker Traditional Tales Puppet Show
Traditional Tales Glove Puppet show plus kids have-a-go booth.
11.30am & 3pm: B2
Circus Marionette Show
(Pre-booking required – Tickets from £5)
11.30am, 2.30pm & 3.30pm: Burbidge Room
Sarah Peasgood Paper Theatre Show & Make a Puppet
Learn all about paper theatre and be inspired to have a go on a real stage with miniature characters.
1pm: B1
The Sooty Show
(Pre-booking required – Free Tickets)
7pm: B1
A Night of Variety Like No Other
(Pre-booking required – Tickets £17)
Appearing throughout the day:
The Meanderthals
Phil Fletcher
Hacker the Dog
Zippy and George
Download the timetable for the day here: Puppet Festival Timetable
