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The Lanchester Marionettes

Next: Saturday, 11 January 2025

Runs until Sunday, 27 April 2025 (See all dates)

Time
11:00 - 16:00
Venue
Bantock House, Wolverhampton, WV3 9QL
Price
Free

Bantock Museum exhibition

More Information (WCR FM is not responsible for external websites)

Waldo Lanchester formed his first puppet company, the London Marionette Theatre, in 1927, with fellow enthusiast and founder of the British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild, Harry Whanslaw. During this time they created the first puppets ever to be made for Television.

In the early 1930’s Waldo performed in Malvern, and it was here he met Muriel Bell, who he later married. In 1936, they formed the Lanchester Marionettes and opened a theatre at their home, Foley House, in Malvern. The Lanchester’s fast became the premier puppet company in Britain, performing before Royalty at Buckingham Palace and even having a play written for them by George Bernard Shaw, who described Waldo as “the chief living puppet master”.

In 1951, they moved to Stratford-upon-Avon opening a puppet centre opposite Shakespeare’s birthplace. After this move, they retried from big performances. This exhibition will look at a range of their marionettes, from their earliest to some of the final ones they made and performed.

NOTE: Until April, the museum is only open at the weekend.

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Venue

Bantock House
Finchfield Road
Wolverhampton
WV3 9QL

More details for this venue

Dates

The event runs from 11:00 to 16:00 on the following dates.
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