A puppet festival is coming to Dublin and we’re buzzing!
The first ever Monkstown International Puppet Festival (MIPF) will be taking place on September 21.
Nostalgia is in the air as the organisers of the festival have tracked down the original Wanderly Wagon, the iconic RTE show which ran for 15 years until 1982, and rumour has it Judge will even make an appearance!
The festival will also feature Karromato and their Wooden Circus who have travelled all the way from the Czech Republic with acrobats, exotic animals, and clowns!
International master puppeteers Louise Gold and Nigel Plaskitt will make an appearance too.
Louise started her career at the Jim Henson studio as one of The Muppets puppeteers.
Nigel’s credits include puppet coach for Anglo The Musical, Avenue Q and He was animation director for Jim Henson's Creature Shop and on the musical Doctor Dolittle with Phillip Schofield.
Dublin puppet improvisation group Fur City will have you in stitches with their improvised soap opera.
Other events include “Bronagh agus and Bean Sidhe” by Animism, a tale of the Irish legend of the banshee told through different perspectives, “Power Embodied” a 30 minute street spectacular in the village square, and, of course, a traditional Punch and Judy show.
Roger Duggan, festival director, said: “Puppetry offers all ages and families opportunities to engage, from formal talks to workshops, family shows and late evening acts.
"Monkstown, has a heritage of puppetry, and is synonymous in people’s minds with puppetry.
"There is strong community buy in for the project, with venues, community groups and the public offering strong support from the outset.”
You can find more information and buy tickets for the show on the website here
