Much-loved Puppetry Festival Returns to Tunbridge Wells For Half Term

Boasting a range of ticketed and free events throughout October Half Term, next week sees the much-loved Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival return for its seventh year.

Taking place between 26th - 31st October and led by Festival Director Mehdi Razi, alongside Hayley Chester and Alison Bundy as Co-Chairs, Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival celebrates world-class puppetry in all forms with a programme of family friendly events throughout the week.

Thanks to generous funding from RTW Together BID, the festival will see wallet-friendly events taking place across Tunbridge Wells and Southborough, including Royal Victoria Place, Southborough Civic Centre, The Forum and The Pantiles.

From an immersive cultural experience through traditional Thai puppetry with the Southern Thai Shadow Puppet Theatre to swashbuckling adventures for all ages with Sea Legs Puppet Theatre's Three Little Pirate Pigs, there is something for everyone at this creative festival!

Monday 26th October - Project Wolf

The Pantiles: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm

Free event - no booking required

The festival kicks off with Project Wolf - a brand-new medieval immersive play, crafted by Kent-based Director, Sonny Puppets. Performed and produced by the Creative Tunbridge Wells Youth Panel, this performance is inspired by original Cumbrian Folklore and The Last Wolf Book by Mrs Jerome Mercer and follows the journey of Maggie, who is terrified of wolves.

Join local talented puppeteer, Sonny D and actors on this walkabout puppetry session. Medieval fancy dress is highly encouraged and the performance includes themes of violence demonstrated through puppetry, so it is recommended for audience members aged 8+ (PG).

Tuesday 27th October - Southern Thai Shadow Puppet Theatre

Royal Victoria Place, Upper Plaza: 11am / 1pm / 3pm

Booking only required for workshops

Southern Thai Shadow Puppet Theatre celebrates the rich tradition of Thai puppetry through an immersive cultural experience designed for families, children, and audiences of all ages. Blending live performance, storytelling, audience participation, and creative workshops, it invites participants to explore the unique puppet traditions of Central and Southern Thailand.

Through interactive performances and hands-on activities, audiences will discover the beauty of Thai literature, mythology, and folklore while gaining a deeper appreciation of Thailand’s living cultural heritage.

Whilst the performances don't require tickets, the workshops take place at 11.30am and 1.30pm and must be pre-booked.

Wednesday 28th October - Face Changing

The Pantiles: 1pm / 16 Mount Pleasant Rd: 1.30pm / Millenium Clock Tower: 2pm

Free event - no booking required

Delivered by Weldon, a London-based performer of Peking Opera and Sichuan Opera, interdisciplinary artist, and cultural educator, Face Changing combines the traditional art of Sichuan Opera face-changing with contemporary Western pop music.

Rooted in classical performance techniques, the programme uses modern rhythms and sound design to create a fresh and dynamic stage experience, presenting the vitality of Sichuan Opera in today’s global cultural exchange.

Thursday 29th October - Saraswati by Indigo Moon Theatre

Royal Victoria Place: 11am / 12.15pm / 1.30pm / 2.45pm

Booking only required for workshops

Indigo Moon Theatre brings Saraswati to the festival, who has delighted audiences in many places both in Britain and abroad since 1992. She dances along to live instruments in traditional Rajasthani folk style, as well as reacting to her audience in her own particular way. She appeals to old and young alike.

Whilst the performances don't require tickets, the workshops take place at 11.15am 1.45pm and must be pre-booked.

Friday 30th October - Gaby Gulliver's Travels

Southborough Civic Centre: 3pm

Tickets must be pre-booked

A family shadow theatre show for adults and children, Gaby Gulliver’s Travels is set in the present day where Gaby Gulliver, an eight-year-old child, is sent on an errand into the woods for her mum.

Gaby finds herself in another universe, a weird but wonderful world, then another, and another, as she travels on a magical journey through time and space! Along the way, regardless of where she is, the problems seem the same as at home. Gaby’s journey into these parallel universes is one of survival and enlightenment in this contemporary reimagining of Gulliver’s Travels by Indigo Moon Theatre.

Saturday 31st October - Three Little Pirate Pigs

Southborough Civic Centre: 2pm

Tickets must be pre-booked

Sea Legs Puppet Theatre bring the Three Little Pirate Pigs! Put on your Sea Legs and join Shadrack the lighthouse keeper for a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas as he narrates the thrilling story of Three Little Pirate Pigs.

Tired of playing piggy-in-the-middle, our fearless trio decide on a game of pirates and treasure hunts. First they must build a boat! Should it be made of straw, sticks or bricks? (Suitable for all ages)

Find out more and book tickets at https://twpuppetryfestival.org/