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The Old Trout Puppet Workshop: Famous Puppet Death Scenes

London International Mime Festival

— ,The Pit
Three performers and one puppet stand in a puppet booth and stare directly at the camera.

Enjoy an unrelenting sequence of tiny little puppet people in this charming, poignant and slightly eccentric show from these celebrated Canadian puppet masters.

One by one this procession of short melodramas ends unhappily for its hero or heroine. With tongue-in-cheek references to the masterworks of theatre, Old Trout Puppet Workshop cuts straight to the chase, taking out all of the boring bits, getting right to the point. Prepare to weep.

The Old Trouts are a collective of artists who make puppet shows for adults, books for children, operas and films. Steeped in the world of Edward Gorey and Penny Dreadfuls, they bring artistry and dark humour to favourites including The Feverish Heart by Nordo Frot, I hate my Little Brother by Sally, and The Ballad of Edward Grue by Samuel Groanswallow.

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Young Barbican Theatre & Dance Winter Spring 2023 More...

Running time: 65 minutes, no interval

Age guidance: 14+ (not suitable for children, contains scenes of violence, suicide, flashing lights and puppet nudity)

Post-show talk, Wed 25 Jan
Hosted by Sue Buckmaster. Free to same-day ticket holders (BSL-interpreted by Jacqui Beckford)

Presented by the Barbican in association with London International Mime Festival

The Old Trout Puppet Workshop is supported by Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development Authority, Calgary Foundation

Image credit: AD Zyne

Creative team

  • Louisa Ashton, Aya Nakamura and Teele Uustani   Performers
  • Peter Balkwill, Pityu Kenderes and Judd Palmer   Directors
  • Bea Galloway   Stage Manager
  • Jen Gareau   Costume Designer
  • David Duffy and Amelia Newbert   Lighting Design
  • Assistant Lighting Design   Ash Copeland
  • Mike Rinaldi   Sound
  • Amelia Newbert, Bea Galloway and Pityu Kenderes   Technical Direction
  • Bob Davis   General Manager
  • Riley Miljan/Tech Art Custom Creations   Set Build

Performers

  • Louisa Ashton  
  • Teele Ustaani  
  • Aya Nakamura  

Reviews

  • ‘ As funny as it is inventive‘
    The Guardian
  • ‘Poignant, profound, imaginative, utterly delightful ‘
    BritishTheatreGuide
  • ‘Visually stunning and endlessly entertaining‘
    Los Angeles Times
  • ‘Exquisite… boundless invention… virtuosity…‘
    Variety Magazine

Discover

The Pit

Location
The Pit is located on Level -2 within the main Barbican building and can be accessed via the stairs or lifts on Level G, next to the doors to the Lakeside Terrace. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.

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