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Suitable for
All skill levels, age 18+
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Dates
Sun 1st Jun 2025 – SOLD OUTÂ
*New Date Added*Â
Sat 5th Jul 2025Â
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Tuition
Day course, 10:00–16:00
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Location
Downside Road, Bristol
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Cost
£86
Overview
Join industry expert Meriel Pym for this practical one-day course, designed to introduce you to the foundational skills of puppet making.
Puppetry plays a vital role in theatre and television, often bringing stories to life in imaginative ways. During the day, you’ll explore the principles of puppetry in storytelling, craft your own puppet, and gain practical insight into materials, construction methods, and movement techniques.
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School provides a supportive, creative space to explore your skills. With personalised guidance and feedback from your tutor, you’ll develop confidence in your production abilities and take meaningful steps forward in your creative journey.
New Date Added
Due to high demand and a sold-out June session, we’ve added an extra date to our 2025 calendar:
Saturday 5 July 2025
Key highlights
On this course you will:
> Acquire an understanding of the significance of puppetry in storytelling within the TV and theatre industry.
> Explore how puppets best captivate audiences through hands-on exploration of fundamental puppet design principles.
> Receive guidance on how to select the right materials and techniques for crafting different puppet styles.
> Craft your own puppet under the guidance of an accomplished scenic crafts expert.
> Put your skills to practice and receive tips on how to create dynamic and expressive puppet performances.
You will have the opportunity to make your own handcrafted puppet during the masterclass – and to take it home as a personal keepsake!
Your tutor
Meriel Pym has worked for over two decades as a scenic artist, prop maker and designer in the theatre, film and television industries. She holds a Theatre Design BA from Nottingham Trent University and a PGCE from Rose Bruford College.
Meriel served for fourteen years at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, creating sets and props for over 140 productions. She has also worked at the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh, Oldham Coliseum, Bolton Octagon and Manchester International Festival as well as on TV shows including Life on Mars (BBC) and Rovers (SKY TV).
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Is this course for me?
This course is suitable for adults who are both beginners or have some experience already in crafts. You may be interested in crafts as a hobby; a theatre or TV enthusiast with an interest in the potential of puppetry; a production student keen on mastering puppet-making skills; or just fascinated by the artistry and storytelling of puppetry!
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What do I need to bring?
Aprons will be provided. This is a practical course and we would recommend you wear comfortable clothing and shoes that you don’t mind getting paint and glue on! A sketchbook or notebook will be useful, along with any ideas for puppets you may already have, so the tutor can talk through the realisation process with you.
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Admission requirements
Applicants must be aged 18 or over by the time of the course start date.
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Short Courses Refund Policy
If you wish to cancel your place on the course, you will receive a full refund if you notify the school at least 7 days prior to the start of the course. For cancellations, contact [email protected]
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