Learn the art of puppeteering at a brand new academy for all ages. Words by Alice Eaton

TUCKED out of sight on a quiet side street in Islington is the creative hub that is The Little Angel Theatre.

This innovative company was formed some 46 years ago and since then has established itself as one of the UK's leading centres for puppeteering. Basically, if you love puppets, it is the place to head to, whether you want to watch them, make them or pull the strings yourself.

The theatre itself is housed in a rather unassuming building but once inside, it is a hive of activity, with a compact front of house, a neat little 100-seater theatre hall and a haphazard workshop where staff are busily creating puppets for the upcoming Christmas production of Cinderella.The theatre's resident company puts on regular productions for both children and adults, and can have several touring companies on the road at any one time. Groups of schoolchildren frequently pack out the auditorium as part of its continuing education programme and every Saturday the puppet club helps youngsters create their own puppets, culminating in a short play at the end of term.

This club has proved so successful that the theatre has launched its own weekly youth academy held in a studio across the road, for young puppeteers graduating from the Saturday classes, followed by a beginners class for adults. Puppetry, it seems, is no longer simply child's play.

"There has been a resurgence of popularity in puppetry in the last five years," says Nigel Luck, professional puppeteer and the workshop leader for the youth academy.

"Puppets are being used in mainstream shows, like The Lion King, Avenue Q and War Horse at the National. Last year, we collaborated with the Royal Shakespeare Company in a production of Venus and Adonis which was very popular."

The theatre has enlisted some of the best in the business to train the next generation of puppeteers, including the great Ronnie Le Drew who was the man behind Zippy in the hit children's TV show Rainbow.

"Puppetry is extremely liberating as you do things that performers can't do, so you can explore the magical side of theatre," says Nigel.

"For some kids, it is also a lot less scary than doing drama as the focus is less on you and more on the puppets."

The students explore all aspects of puppetry, from hand and shadow puppets to object manipulation where various objects such as clothes and newspapers are used to create their own puppets. Eventually, the adult classes progress to working with marionette puppets (with strings), the most skilled form of puppetry.

"I used to do the Saturday puppet club but had to stop as I was too old, so I'm really pleased they started this up as it gives me a chance to build on what I learnt," says 14-year-old Sam Reinders, who, during an exercise using shadow puppetry, took great pleasure pretending to have his head bitten off by an angry giant.

"It's fun creating characters and stories around them. I want to go into film making and hopefully I will be able to use these skills."

The adult students come from all walks of life, from actors and directors wanting to add puppetry to their repertoires, puppet makers interested in learning more about the production side of the job to those who simply love puppets. This term, there is even a grandad who wants to be able to create a Christmas show to perform for his grandchildren.

"Puppetry helps you develop great communication and team-building skills as you have to work together," explains Peter Glanville, who is the artistic director of Little Angel.

"It requires a lot of focus, concentration and mental control too. You have to put all of your energy into one movement or gesture and do this through an object.

"You learn a lot about the human psyche too so that you can bring the characters alive and make them believable. But, most importantly, it is just great fun."

And if you want to see what all the fuss is about, the theatre's Christmas show Cinderella is running until January 27. To book tickets, call the box office on 0207 226 1787.

Places for the youth and adult beginners academies are currently available for the January term. Prices are £75 per person/£50 concessions (includes ticket for the show) for the youth academy (ages 12 to 16) and £150 per person/£100 concessions (includes one free show ticket) for the adult beginners puppet club (ages 16 and above). The Little Angel Theatre is located at 14 Dagmar Passage, London N1 2DN. To find out more, call the above number or visit www.littleangeltheatre.com.

Master puppeteer and guest tutor at the academy, Ronnie Le Drew. Image by Gus Alston

9:43am Friday 30th November 2007

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