Local Schools will be working with puppeteers Liz Dorton, Liz Dees and Anna Ingleby (and assisted by musician Haviel Perdana) during 3 day residencies making puppets and putting together a showcase to be performed on stage at Longcroft School, followed by a procession through the town centre to launch the 4^th Beverley Puppet Festival.

The Schools Showcase can be seen at Longcroft School at 1pm on Friday 9 July, followed by a procession from Longcroft School to Beverley Treasure House at approximately 2:20pm. Please note that the School Procession and Showcase are held the week before the main festival.

The pictures above show some of the fabulous puppets made during the workshops in 2008 in Tickton and Walkington primary schools by local school children.

Noisy Oyster (of Frome, Somerset)

Where: Angel Square, 3pm Sat 17 July

Age: All ages

Free

Duration: Approximately 45 minutes

Multimap: to be confirmed

Back by Insistent demand: Dangerous Dave, infinitely more daft than dangerous, and his ridiculous sidekick Herbert Lemon present some of the most mind bendingly silly stunts ever performed ... ever ...

Marvel as this miniature superhero fights his way out of a wet paper bag ... climbs the slippery pole of peril to plunge into a domestic food processor ... escapes from the pickled egg jar of doom ... and becomes the inhuman cannon ball!!

Performed in an inimitable street theatre style, come and see Dangerous Dave at your own peril!!

Noisy Oyster (of Frome, Somerset)

Where: to be confirmed

Age: All ages

Free

Duration: approximately 50 minutes

Standing in for the queen's stand in and accompanied by her ever vigilant bodyguards, Lady Lucinda will mix and mingle as she searches for where to perform the opening ceremony.

Cornelius & Jones (of Newport Pagnell)

Where: Friary Gardens, 2pm Sat 17 July, 6:30pm Sun 18 July

Age: All ages

Free

Duration: approximately 35 minutes

Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady is a storytelling show with the actor in role as a medieval minstrel who uses puppetry, music and dance to tell the story. King Arthur's kingdom has been threatened by the Black Knight and unless he can find the answer to a riddle the Knight will become King of England in his place.
 www.corneliusjones.com

Companie Via Cane (Brittany, France)

Where: Friary Gardens, 11am and 6pm Sat 17 July; 11am and 5:30pm Sun 18 July

Age: All ages

Tickets: Free

Duration: 50 minutes

Multimap: to be confirmed

All the way from Brittany, this highly energetic company Via Cane, (which translates as “The Way of the Dog”), will distract you with their impetuous and mischievous rod marionettes. They tell tales from times of old which echo modern foibles, in mediaeval troubadour style. (Any French-speaking audience members are welcome to throw them a few English words, should they need any help…!)
www.viacane.com

Tony Clarke (of Bradford)

Where: Angel Square, 11am, 1pm and 4pm Sat 17 July

Age: All ages

Free

Duration: approximately 30 minutes

Back by popular demand Tony Clarke (Prof. Robanti) is one of the leading globe-trotting exponents of this traditional form of puppetry. With his fast paced traditional show tailored to entertain the whole family, he has performed all over the UK and the world from Hull to China, allowing a much wider audience to enjoy the antics of our very own Mr Punch. Now is your chance to catch-up with Mr Punch in your own back yard and see why he is still going strong after 346 years.

Hand to Mouth Theatre (of Southampton)

Where: Angel Square, 12 noon, 1:30pm and 3pm Sun 18 July

Age: All ages

Free

Duration: approximately 30 minutes

An atmosphere of Dark Ages & New Ages which will captivate All Ages, particularly Middle Ages and Older Ages .... from little acorns to old oaks. This is a whimsical perambulation through the seasons, touching on the circular nature of time, as told by the Green Man and his hurdy-gurdy playing Droning Crone and their troupe of rag-bag characters.  There is plenty of laughter along the way as the old farmer tends his land and fattens his pig for the winter. It is both moving and entertaining with resonances of ancient pagan ritual and dark humour. 

 “A fantastic, magical, mythical and multilayered show that you must catch if you can.”  Sid Langley, Birmingham Post.
 www.handtomouth.co.uk

Ted Beresford (of Telford, Shropshire)

Where: Friary Gardens, 1pm, 2:30pm and 5pm Sat 17 July; 12 noon, 1:30pm and 4:30pm Sun 18 July

Age: All ages

Free

Duration: approximately 30 minutes

Ted’s traditional Jig Doll routine includes various "jigging" types including two different Planchette puppets, "Billy Goats Gruff" featuring normal jig-dolls, African Tulukutu puppets and variations on these including his “Seth Davey" marionette (which operates a jig doll).

www.beresfordspuppets.co.uk 

Apus Productions (of Hessle)

Where: Wednesday Market - Saturday Market, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm Sun 18 July

Age: All ages

Free

Duration: approximately 30 minutes

Since his honourable discharge from the army, Major Apus has been exploring deepest darkest Africa. He specialises in large unusual creatures, and can be found showing off his latest find, two giant albino peacocks. Rather than kill and stuff his prizes he shows them off and encourages conservation. These fantastical giant birds, with their stunning fanned tails, entertain and inspire. They are a real treat for children and families, and are animated by rare sounds of the tropical rain forest.
www.apusproductions.com