Smethwick Puppetry Festival line-up announced, with free and low-cost theatre for all ages in Smethwick and Bearwood

Some of the UK’s leading professional puppetry theatre companies will perform. There will be puppet theatre especially made for children and families, plus performances for teens and adults, interactive puppetry workshops, an exhibition and more. 

Highlights include the world premiere of The Stuff of Life by The Object Project, a puppetry show for grown-ups that takes a breathless exploration of the day-to-day, angst-ridden experience of living and loving – the twist is that the story is told entirely through household objects. Based in Leeds, The Object Project are known for their contemporary theatre and puppetry that’s unconventional and anarchic.

Younger visitors can enjoy a wide range of performances, including a re-imagining of the classic Nutcracker tale for spring and summertime, by local puppeteer Lori Hopkins. The Giant Who Slept for 10,000 Yearsby Bori Mezo takes us to an icy fjord, whilst we can absorb the sunshine in the West African tale Anansi and the Lost Sun by Swallow’s Wings Puppetry.

Suitcase Stories by Tragic Carpet Visual Theatre opens up entire worlds, all from a tiny suitcase, and Flying With Strings by Sarah Vigars brings intricate string puppetry and live music for pre-schoolers. \

Visitors can have a go at making their own puppet characters and theatres in several drop-in workshops, and curious tales and mysterious moments are brought to life in a unique animated exhibition at Thimblemill Library that features animated mechanised creations. 

New for 2025, a family-friendly animated film night, No Place Like Home, includes short films themed around puppetry and stop-motion.

Laura Leech from Black Country Touring explains: “The first Smethwick Puppetry Festival took place in February 2024. Many shows sold out, and we had packed out venues full of happy families! I’m really pleased that we’re running the festival again in 2025, with a bigger programme and even more opportunities for people in Smethwick and Bearwood to experience top-notch puppetry and theatre.” 

Smethwick Puppetry Festival will take place in community venues including Smethwick Heritage Centre, Dorothy Parkes Centre, Bearwood Community Hub at Bearwood Baptist Church, Brasshouse Community Centre, Brushstrokes Community Project, Lightwoods Park and House, Smethwick Library, Thimblemill Library, West Smethwick Park, Bear Bookshop and St Hilda's Church Hall.

All events will be either free or pay what you can, which means that you choose how much to pay to attend.

Frances Land from Black Country Touring added, “Puppetry is a brilliant way of introducing children to the world of story-telling and theatre; it sparks the imagination and everyone loves it! We’re delighted to be able to bring some of the country’s leading puppeteers to Smethwick for this festival. All of the performances, workshops and the exhibition will be either free or pay-what-you-can, and the performances are happening in local libraries and community centres, which should take some of the stress away for busy families who want to come along. We’re looking forward to a fun, laid-back festival for half-term week.”

Black Country Touring is able to run the puppetry festival thanks to the funds raised by players of the People's Postcode Lottery. Their support means we are able to bring quality events like this to community venues and ensure they're affordable for all. Smethwick Puppetry Festival is also supported with funding from Arts Council England and Sandwell Council. 

With thanks to our partners, Lightwoods House and Friends of Thimblemill Library, for helping to make this festival happen.

For more details, access information and to book tickets, visit bctouring.org.uk/puppet