Mr BuzzKing’s Puppet Things is a truly unique event organised by puppeteer, David Leech, and the four-day event will include puppet shows performed by local school children.
“Every child’s masterpiece deserves a spotlight.”
On Saturday 31st May, the Puppet Tree club from Hassell Primary School, Newcastle, will present a show called “The Magic Rocking Horse” on a specially designed 3-part marionette stage. The story follows Kristen, a young girl whose rocking horse comes to life. Its name is Gibraltar and was once the star of Philip Astley’s circus nearly 250 years ago.
Then one day, many years ago, an evil Magician cast a spell and turned Gibraltar into a wooden rocking horse so he could no longer perform in the circus.
Can Kristen and her brother, Max, help Gibraltar return to the circus and break the magic spell?
Come along on Saturday 31st May to find out. The show starts at 2.30pm
Then on Sunday, June 1st, St Dominic’s Primary School, Puppet Tree Club will present an enchanting performance, using rod puppets they have made themselves, about “The Legend of King Wulfere” and how the town came to be called Stone.
The pagan King of Mercia Wulfhere who lived in a fortified hill fort at Bury Bank, about two miles from Stone refused to allow his sons Wulfad and Rufin to be brought up in the Christian faith.
His sons defied him and become Christians. The King was so angry at their defiance that he had them killed, Rufin at Burston and Wulfad here at Stone.
The Queen had their bodies buried together on the spot where Wulfad had fell and in accordance with Saxon custom, a large cairn of stones were placed over the grave.
Wulfhere was later overcome with remorse and in 670 AD allowed the Queen to build a small priory on the site of their graves.
Don’t miss the show’s Grand Finale that includes a specially written song, “A Song for Stone” depicting how a small village began to grow around the site of the priory and became known as Stanes (Anglo-Saxon for stones) after the cairn of stones and eventually became known as the town of Stone.
After each puppet show, children in the audience will have the opportunity to make their own puppet and perform with it. They will then be able to take their puppet home.
Throughout the four days, there are opportunities not only to make your own puppets but also learn how to use and perform with them too.
The performance and activity area will be surrounded by a wonderful exhibition of Pelham Puppets, (made between 1947 and 1986) that is sure to be of interest to mums and dads and grandparents too.
All shows and activities are completely free of charge.
Programmes for the events can be obtained from Chris at Autocare – behind the library.
For updates and details, follow The Staffordshire Puppet Tree on Facebook or visit thepuppettree.org
