Skipton all set for puppet extravaganza (From Craven Herald)

Skipton all set for puppet extravaganza

9:00am Thursday 24th September 2009 in Arts & Ents News

Skipton will enjoy a weekend celebration of one of the oldest art forms – puppetry.

The town is hosting its third international puppet festival this weekend and is expecting artistes from across the world.

And visitors to Bolton Abbey on Sunday got a preview when the Hebden Bridge-based Thingamajig Theatre Company brought along Yeshe the Yak and staged free performances of The Mystery of The Sock Snatcher.

The main festival opens tomorrow (Friday) at 6pm with performances by Cusan Theatre Productions and Mikropodium at Skipton’s canal basin.

Over the weekend there will be 30 performances at venues including the Rainhall Centre, Barnoldswick, and the Victoria Hall, Settle. There are also linked exhibitions at Skipton’s Craven Museum and Narrowboat pub and drop-in workshops at Skipton Town Hall.

Organiser Liz Lempen, of Skipton-based Lempen Puppets, said: “There will be performances for all ages, many for families, and anyone with an imagination. A few shows are solely for adult audiences continuing the tradition which was brought to England in the 16th century by wandering Italian troubadours.

“From the traditional to the modern, Skipton is showcasing a whole range of shows including medieval and folk art themed, as well as more contemporary performances that use animations and projections. There will be no fewer than 27 companies, with puppeteers from all over Europe staging the weird and wonderful.

“From Russia with ducklings, Hungary with ballerinas that dance on your hand, France with philosophy, Germany with giants and princes, Austria with humour and laundry, Belgium with hurdi-gurdis and pigs to Scotland and England with dreams, shadows, embroidery and slapsticks, the festival will intrigue and delight with its international flavours. This is one of the biggest events of its kind in the UK.

“It is recognised through the success of the previous festivals that this event is not only a great cultural opportunity for the local community but also, drawing so many visitors, it is good for the economy and the profile of Skipton as an exciting place to be.”

To coincide with the festival, a continental market will be staged in Skipton’s Coach Street car park on Saturday and Sunday.

A festival programme can viewed online at skiptonpuppetfestival.co.uk and, during the festival, copies will be available from the box office trailer on the Coach Street car park.