I have just returned from an inspiring two-weeks in Singapore, during which I worked on a production of Homer's "The Odyssey", which involved the students of Tanglin Trust High School drama department. Using acting, dance, music, puppetry and shadow theatre, the students pulled out all stops to pull together a beautiful modern production of this ancient Greek tale. During my time at the school, I began by familiarising the students with paper puppetry and teaching breathing techniques and movement. This gave them a good grounding to start working with the puppets which we designed and they b ..read more

It has been over six months time since I've written a post and much has happened this year. Probably the most significant has been my transition into stop-motion animation, which is a huge learning curve, even for an experienced puppeteer. I have been dabbling in film for quite a few years now, but even that didn't prepare me for the journey upon which I now embark. Although completely fascinating, it's daily learning new techniques, especially in the dramatic film genre and here I believe I need to acknowledge my cinematographic guru, Sidat de Silva, who's been patiently guiding me through ..read more

'Je Suis Punch!' is a film we just completed for 'World Puppetry Day 2016' as a special dedication to to the freedom of expression in our world and the two young Spanish puppeteers, Alfónso Lázaro de la Torre and Raul García Pérez, who recently spent five days in a Madrid prison and stand accused of “glorifying terrorism” for their radical ‘Punch and Judy’ street show. On this ‘World Puppetry Day 2016’ - We, the puppeteers of the world are speaking out for free speech and freedom of expression internationally! You can also view a one-minute short 'making of' 'Je Suis Punch! here! For ..read more

Abajo Puppet Troupe The story is finally becoming a little more clear!  Two young Spanish puppeteers Alfónso Lázaro de la Torre and Raul García Pérez, who trained at the Pepe Otal Workshop in Barcelona, are spending their fifth day in a Madrid prison. I was taken to visit the Workshop of the late-Pepe Otal, in Barcelona last November by my friend Toni Rumbau. It is a sacred space that has provided a venue for artists and puppeteers to explore their creativity  in the centre of Barcelona, since the great Spanish puppeteer, underground anarchist, Otal founded ..read more

Free the puppeteers campaign in Spain Two puppeteers in Spain have reportedly been jailed, charged with “glorifying terrorism” during a children’s show in Madrid. Alfonso Lazaro de la Fuente and Raul Garcia Perez were arrested after staging a show featuring the hanging of an effigy of a judge, the stabbing of a nun with a crucifix and several police beatings, according to reports. The two puppeteers were detained without possibility of bail Friday for using a sign saying, "Long Live Alka ETA," in a word-play reference to Spain's armed Basque group ETA and al Qae ..read more

Rachel Stern, director/ screenwriter Elizabeth Swados, and Sigourney Weaver attend HBO's "My Depression: The Up And Down And Up Of It" Premiere during the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. It feels very strange indeed to be writing a piece about a family legend, music composer, writer, theatre director and puppeteer who I never personally met, even though she was my cousin. Elizabeth Swados made her mark on the New York theatre scene very early in her career, probably when she was employed by Peter Brook, to accompany the African expedition of 'Conference of the Birds' acr ..read more

Part Two of my Journey - Europe From Istanbul, I flew to Paris to continue my exploration of 'Les Guignols de L'Info', the story behind the Canal + daily puppet satire, which I started shooting a year ago. As you are well aware, the past year's events in Paris have been crazy, starting with the Charlie Hebdo massacre. More recently Canal + was purchased by French billionaire, Vincent Bolloré, a close friend of Nicolas Sarkozy. Since taking over, Mr Bolloré has let it be known that he wanted to abolish the nightly 'Les Guignols' because he did not like “mockery”. He began by firing the Guig ..read more

Poster from Tehran Workshops, November 2015 Part One of my Journey - Iran and Turkey If I had to mention that this trip around the planet was the most inspiring and productive journey I have ever taken, you'd say "But you say that every time you travel, which is too often!". Well it's true in a way, but my adventure which took me to Israel, Iran, Turkey, France, Germany, England and Northern Ireland was mind-blowing to say the least. I was invited to participate in the 22nd International Theatre Festival for Young People in Hamedan in early Octob ..read more

A series of new tutorials and workshop films are currently in production for our new website, Puppetry Films. These films, in both the paid and free sections, are being developed by our tutors across the globe to cater to the requests by puppeteers and students who have indicated, in a recent survey that their specifixc interests include: The Fundamentals of Puppetry; Bringing a puppet to life for the first time; Glove puppetry; marionette theatre; directing for the Puppet Theatre; Puppetry for TV construction and Puppetry for TV manipulation and directing. If you are interested by any of the ..read more

The International Puppet and Doll Museum first opened it's doors in Tehran, in September 2014 to mark the occasion of International Day of Peace. Peace provides equal opportunities for individuals when the prevailing cultural and social environment recognizes and respects the diversity of its people. The museum is now calling for puppet builders and doll makers from around the world to send their puppets/dolls as peace ambassadors in an exhibit that will begin in Tehran and later tour throughout the country, bring their artists' message of peace to Iran. The dol ..read more