Compass Puppet Club
Compass Theatre Puppet Club is a community arts project, running since 2020.
Together and individually, members have been hand-crafting a cast of 13 puppets, all based on the characters in the play Hans, The Witch and the Gobbin by Alan Cullen, which was the first play ever performed at Compass Theatre, in 1968. The play was revived on the 50th anniversary of Compass Theatre's opening, and the plan is to produce a puppetry show inspired by the same characters, for the 60th anniversary in 2028.
As well as building the puppet cast, members have also learned puppetry skills including the basic principals, ventriloquism and are about to embark on Puppet Improvisation, to help the group develop a new story for these characters.
In September 2023, the club gave their very first puppetry performance, as part of the Compass Mosaic Show, in aid of the Friends of Ickenham Hall.
The club welcomes new puppeteers to join in with the project as they learn and improve their puppetry skills and plan for further performance opportunities. Open to ages 14+ (or younger with an accompanying adult), the club meets on most Saturdays from 2pm -4pm, at Compass Theatre, Ickenham.
More information: boxoffice@hgfl.org.uk | 01895 250615
Compass Puppet Club's Hans, the Witch and the Gobin...
King Rufus, Mrs Crabtree, Queen of the Forest and Scratch.
Club member, Magda, who made the Gobin puppet's body.
Puppet heads for Senna & Castor, the Royal Physicians, inspired by club member Tim Leman and the late Keith French.
Princess Alicia, pictured with Hannah, who played the role in the 2018.
