Children and grown-ups alike can enjoy the art of puppetry in the new season of shows at Norwich Puppet Theatre.
Alongside an array of theatrical treats for little people, the city venue is hosting the visual theatre festival, manipulate, for the sixth year at the end of January into February. The festival aims to show that puppetry is not just for children.
Ian Woods, the theatre's operations manager, said: 'It's great to be working with Puppet Animation Scotland again to bring manipulate to Norwich. It brings great international work to the city and also the best of British puppetry. Expect to see something different, take a risk and come and see a show! The festival opens the doors of Norwich Puppet Theatre to grown ups to see some of the wonder that the little ones enjoy all the time.'
Clementine the Living Fashion Doll is opening this year's manipulate on January 28 with Clementine's Fabulous Roadshow, a show featuring variety acts and the story of Snow White performed in a way audiences will have never seen before.
Puppeteer Mark Mander, who is behind Clementine, originally trained at Norwich Puppet Theatre and said he was delighted to be returning for the festival.
He said: 'The staff always give one of the warmest welcomes of any theatre across the country. They are also one of the tiny handful of spaces who are designed to accommodate the needs of a puppet show. [Norwich Puppet Theatre is] a rare venue with an international reputation and one which should be cherished.'
Another manipulate highlight is Cities on February 3, a show which conjures up imaginary cities and reflects on contemporary society and the challenges we face. Cities is being brought to the festival by the Canadian company Théâtre de la Pire Espèce.
Meanwhile throughout the rest of the new season, there are lots of shows for families to enjoy, including Norwich Puppet Theatre's own productions of Pied Piper and The Tinderbox, Gomito Theatre's Chester Tuffnut, Lyngo Theatre's The Curious Adventures of Pinnochio, and Hand to Mouth Theatre's Goldlocks!
For more about Norwich Puppet Theatre shows and to book tickets, visit www.puppettheatre.co.uk or call 01603 629921.
Do you have a Norwich arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk
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