Participants will be guided to explore the potential of puppetry to create powerful and unique theatrical languages.

There will be a strong emphasis on the role of the puppeteer as a performing actor. A puppeteer never disappears behind a puppet. The puppeteer’s presence on stage is an integral element of any performance and central to the audience’s theatrical experience.

Each participant will work with a puppet and bring it to “life”. Short scenes will be developed, within which the puppet and its manipulator articulate and respond to dramatic situations. As well as interacting with their own puppets, participants will also work together, creating and performing short dramatic scenes.

Over the past thirty years Neville Tranter’s combination of wicked, down to earth humour, deadly seriousness and virtuoso puppetry has won him international acclaim throughout the world. His company, Stuffed Puppet, appeared at manipulate last year, presenting its highly successful production, Schikelgruber, Alias Adolf Hitler.

Neville will also be presenting his production of Punch & Judy in Afghanistan at Norwich Puppet Theatre on 8th February.

www.stuffedpuppet.nl