Theatre School Participates in International Climate-Focused Puppetry Project

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s Production Arts students are contributing to a ground-breaking international puppetry initiative that will journey from central Africa to the Arctic Circle.  Created by The Walk Productions – the team behind the acclaimed Little Amal project, who was welcomed to Bristol in June 2022 – The Herds features hundreds of life-size animal puppets in a powerful artistic response to climate change and wildlife migration.

The School’s talented Production Arts department was invited to create seven intricate puppets: a pair of vervet monkeys and five baboons, which will join creatures from across the animal kingdom in this moving procession.

“This project offers our students an extraordinary opportunity to apply their craft to a globally significant production,” says Louise Thomas, Props Supervisor & Tutor at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. “Following a ‘flat pack’ format produced by Ukwanda Puppetry and Designs Art Collective, our students have embraced both traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. They’re using sustainable materials throughout, including recycled inner tubes from motorbikes and bicycles for tension elements, and recycled cardboard and paper for construction. The technical process combines precision laser cutting with painstaking hand assembly, challenging the students to achieve professional-level articulation and movement in these expressive puppets.”

The puppets are currently in production at the School’s workshops, with students applying advanced techniques in lightweight construction, articulation mechanisms and realistic finishing to bring the primates to life. The project showcases the exceptional standards of craftsmanship taught at the School while connecting students to an international network of artists addressing urgent themes.

We’re so proud of the students and staff who have participated: Daisy Anthony, Jess Blakemore, Zoe Del Carlo, Raph Hampton, Pat Heys, Martha Hulme, Fi McKeon, Jack McMahon, Will Muir, Kacey Purnell, Beth Selvage, Louise Thomas and Chris Wierzbicki. Joining the team during the summer term are: Ruth Kirby, Esther McDonald-McLuckie, Kalila Suckley and Mika Wild.

Stay tuned for updates as our students complete their contributions and the puppets begin their remarkable journey!