Beverley Puppet Festival back this July

Beverley Puppet Festival will be back bigger and better than ever this summer, Friday 15th July to Sunday 17th July, as giant, fantastical creatures roam Beverley’s historic streets, and tiny, magical worlds are revealed to unsuspecting audiences.

Kerrin Tatman, co-festival director, said: “For this 10th edition of the festival we are bringing together the very best of UK puppet theatre to venues throughout the town for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy.

Two shows that are being revealed are both environmentally-themed, including the multi-tentacled, ten-foot-long The Squid* run by six puppeteers, complete with clown performer, by Tatwood Puppets of Newcastle; and SeedHeart** with its magical pop-ups, puppetry and interactive scenes – all out of just a suitcase – by Indigo Moon Theatre Company of Hull.

            Throughout this July’s festival there will be free outdoor acts and ticketed indoor shows including at East Riding Theatre, Beverley Friary & Gardens, Beverley Masonic Hall, Toll Gavel Church, as well as on Beverley’s shopping streets and at the Flemingate Centre.

            As an established event in Yorkshire’s cultural scene, Beverley Puppet Festival has won, and been a repeat finalist, in the Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Award for ‘Remarkable Small Tourism Event’.

            Funding has been secured so far from Arts Council England, Two Ridings Community Foundation and Beverley Town Council.

            Anna Ingleby, co-director and founder, said: “While Kerrin and I are working hard to secure the last bits of funding needed to fully realise the event, we are also looking for Beverley residents who can host artists for one or two nights during the festival in exchange for free tickets.

            “The festival relies on volunteers to help us make the weekend of events happen successfully – so please get in touch by email if you’d like to volunteer or can host artists for a night or two!”

            This is the first Beverley Puppet Festival since 2020, when the festival responded to Covid-19 by moving online and commissioning 25 unique puppet making videos for audiences to try out at home using easy-to-access materials.