Barbican Theatre, Plymouth are very excited to be bringing a second giant puppet parade to the cobbled back alleys of Plymouth, following the success of their inaugural parade back in September 2020. 

The latest choice for the Barbican team to visit with their giant puppet parade are the cobbled back alleys of Keyham, which they will entertain from 6pm on Thursday 10 June.

Image: Barbican Theatre’s Giant Puppet Parade was watched by just under 1000 people, from their own back gardens in St Judes back in Sept 2020 (image credit Jo Cann/Barbican Theatre) 

As Barbican Theatre continues to be unable to bring work / performances to its small auditorium, due to covid-19 social distancing restrictions, they have been taking their work out to the people and communities of Plymouth! Creating and bringing performances for unusual spaces has long been a speciality of Barbican Theatre (a recent example includes hosting the premiere of Scratchworks Theatre Company’s new show The Grimm Sisters at Teats Hill Amphitheatre on 28 May) 

Working with expert puppet makers Ruth Webb and Zenna Tagney, we held puppet making workshops at St Johnstone’s Sport & Social Club in Keyham in early May.  Working with local people (in creative bubbles to ensure safe social distancing)  over the two days they built their own Funky Prawns to accompany our custom made 7 metre high Fisherman puppet. Materials used were predominantly scrap or upcycled, much of which was sourced from Plymouth Scrapstore. Most of those who attended the creative workshops will also perform wih their puppet during the parade.

Also joining the parade in Keyham will be members of Barbican Theatre’s ReBels who designed and built their own giant Jellyfish plus members of Above Bound Theatre who will be bringing their Fish-Go-Disco light up puppets to entertain residents. Accompanying the parade to get everyone in the party spirit will be our own Junk Band featuring members of Barbican Theatre ReBels, who have been working with percussionist Benji Isbel. 

Image: Barbican Theatre’s Giant Puppet Parade was watched by just under 1000 people, from their own back gardens in St Judes back in Sept 2020 (image credit Plymouth Culture) 

Barbican Theatre’s CEO, Laura Kriefman says

“The Barbican has an extraordinary track record for creating site specific shows: when Covid-19 closed our doors I knew that I wanted us to use the team’s skills to create shows that came to communities instead. Our first Back Alley Puppet Parade back in September was a massive success  and such a perfect fit for St Judes – where all the houses still used their back gates onto the service alleys. It was amazing to see 1000 people feeling safe and able to enjoy a giant performance that came to them, and could reach them at their bedroom windows, their balconies or their back gates. I can’t wait to see the reactions of the Keyham community when our ocean themed parade comes to their back alleys this week”

Image: Barbican Theatre’s Giant Puppet Parade was watched by just under 1000 people, from their own back gardens in St Judes  back in Sept 2020 (image credit Jo Cann/Barbican Theatre) 

This will be a socially distanced parade, with all puppeteers and support staff wearing face masks. Members of the Keyham community will be asked to stay on their property, for their safety (and that of performers) and if they want to come out to stay at least 2 metres from the performers.

The parade route starts in the back alley  between Admiralty Street and Fleet Street, continuing along the back alley between Fleet Street and Victory Street, then the back alley between Victory Street and Renown Street, then the back alley between Renown Street and Ocean Street (by Keyham Barton School) before concluding at the junction of Royal Navy Ave and Fleet Street.

The parade is free for the residents to watch but we have donation buckets and contactless card scanners for people to donate to support our Young People and Emerging Artists Charity.

To add to the enjoyment and engagement of the local community with the parade, leaflets will be distributed door to door along the route in Keyham from Tuesday 8 June. The leaflet features a map of the route plus a fish picture that can be decorated, cut out and thrown into our Giant Fisherman’s net (he’ll be catching his supper!) as he passes their houses. 

You can also download and print your fish here if you want to get a headstart!

Keyham Puppet Parade leaflet with cut out fish