Upfront Puppet Theatre

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Upfront Puppet Theatre

Upfront a centre of creativity and excellence to develop the art form of puppetry The founders of the company are John and Elaine Parkinson. Upfront Arts Ltd.

Upfront Puppet Theatre - The Company

The company was created to develop the art form of puppetry and to create a centre of creativity and excellence for the art form. was formed as a “not for profit” company in 2003 to create a puppet company with it’s own theatre building and workshops. It’s first production was at Christmas 2004 in an eighty seat venue, created from an old farm workshop buildi

ng in rural Cumbria. John was trained as a theatre designer sat the Design school of the English National Opera, before working as a designer in many northern theatres. He has a degree in drama from Manchester University and has lectured in drama, directing, production and design. Puppetry has always been on e of John’s major passions. Elaine was trained as a primary teacher and worked for many years teaching reception and junior school children. She is now a puppeteer for Upfront and brings to the company an educational focus for it’s work. Her job also includes company administration and she is responsible for scheduling the seasons of performances and handling the day to day finances . Freelance puppeteers and makers are employed for each production, they work with the company to create and perform the shows. Since the company was formed there have been productions every year at Christmas, Summer and Easter. In 2010 the company designed a new building, raised the funding and built a new 144 seat venue during 2012. The theatre is designed with specific resources for puppetry as well as for other general use as a venue. Future plans include a permanent exhibition of the history of puppetry and a young peoples’ performance company based at the venue.

01/09/2026

Following the final performance of Hansel & Gretel yesterday, we just want to say a massive thank you to everyone that’s been to see our summer show and supported us throughout the summer holidays! We couldn’t do what we do without an audience so it really does mean the world to us that you keep coming and support our theatre 🎭

We look forward to what’s next and in the meantime, if you haven’t already, pop in and check out the museum.

30/08/2026

Tomorrow is our final Hansel & Gretel puppet show! Starting at 3pm it’s the last chance to come over and watch our unique puppet theatre production of the famous Hansel & Gretel story 🎭

Please head over to our website for ticket information and details of future puppet shows!

29/08/2026

We might be showing the last of our Hansel & Gretel summer shows on Monday 31st August but it definitely isn’t the last time you can visit the museum!

Our museum is open all year round, like the venue itself so if you’ve missed out on the puppet shows, you’ve always got plenty of time to visit the museum instead 🎭

28/08/2026

Tomorrow at 3pm we have our penultimate showing of Hansel & Gretel from our very own puppet theatre! Our final showing is also at 3pm but on Monday 31st. If you haven’t been yet to catch a show, now is your last two opportunities to do so! Head over to our website for more details and ticket information 🎟️

23/08/2026

Our Hansel and Gretel Puppet Theatre production is entering the final 8 days! 🗓️

We’ve got one more 11am showing on the 27th August and then 3pm showings on 23rd (TODAY), 26th, 28th, 29th and the final show on the 31st. Head over to our website to find out more booking information 🔗

22/08/2026

Our Hansel and Gretel Puppet Theatre production is entering the final 9 days! 🗓️

We’ve got one more 11am showing on the 27th August and then 3pm showings on 23rd, 26th, 28th, 29th and the final show on the 31st. Head over to our website to find out more booking information 🔗

20/08/2026

Our production of Hansel & Gretel is showing this morning at 11am and tomorrow at 3pm with more performances towards the end pf the school holidays. Follow our link in bio to book now !!

To add to the experience our museum of puppetry is also now open. View a show and the museum at the same time.

19/08/2026

Need something to do with the family during the final few weeks of the holidays? Have a look at our puppet museum! It’s a perfect day out for all ages with plenty to do and a lot to learn about! 🎭

15/08/2026

Looking for a summer puppet show to bring the kids to? Our August dates are still live 🎭

We have shows running on August 15th (Today) 19th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 31st, so there are plenty of chances to come along during the school holidays.

A great day out for families, holiday makers and anyone looking for an all weather activity near Penrith!

10/08/2026

Within our puppet museum we also officially opened the Stan Parker exhibition! Have a listen to Linda Frazer below, Stan’s daughter, talk about the history behind the puppets, her dads journey, her upbringing, the growth of the company and the process behind John getting the puppets into the museum where they are today 🎭

Address

Upfront Puppet Theatre, Nr Hutton In The Forest
Penrith
CA119TG

Telephone

+441768484538

Website

http://www.up-front.com/puppet_theatre.html

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