Biggar Puppet Theatre

About this activity

The Biggar Puppet Theatre is a unique and highly regarded cultural institution located in the town of Biggar, in the county of Lanarkshire, Scotland. Established in 1968, the theatre has become one of the most prominent puppet theatres in the United Kingdom, renowned for its innovative productions, excellent craftsmanship, and educational outreach programs.

The theatre's repertoire includes a wide range of puppetry styles and techniques, including marionettes, hand puppets, shadow puppets, and object theatre. The productions are aimed at both children and adults and cover a variety of themes, from fairy tales and fables to historical events and social issues.

One of the theatre's most famous productions is "The Tin Soldier," a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale, which has been performed over 2,000 times since its premiere in 1970. The production features intricately designed and crafted marionettes, as well as beautiful sets and costumes.

In addition to its performances, the Biggar Puppet Theatre is also known for its educational programs. The theatre hosts workshops, residencies, and outreach programs for schools, community groups, and other organizations. These programs aim to introduce participants to the art of puppetry, as well as to develop their creativity, teamwork, and communication skills.

The theatre's museum, located in the theatre complex, houses a collection of over 300 puppets from around the world, as well as a range of other puppetry-related artifacts. The museum provides visitors with a unique insight into the history and diversity of puppetry, as well as the techniques and materials used to create puppets.