Smethwick Puppetry Festival returns in February
Experience dragons in Warley Woods, songs from the canals, puppet shows for the kids and the magic of ‘crankie’ storytelling, as the popular festival returns for half-term.
Smethwick Puppetry Festival returns this February half-term, with a packed programme that includes dragons in Warley Woods, puppet shows for kids, music inspired by the canals and an exhibition of ‘crankie’ storytelling devices.
The festival, which will run during February half term (February 14-22), will see events happening across Smethwick and Bearwood, with performances by the UK’s leading professional puppetry theatre companies.
Families will love After the Rain by Sabotage Theatre, with gentle storytelling, singing snails and lots of messy puddles. There’s a slapstick children’s puppet show, The Librarian and a new take on The Three Little Pigs from Noisy Oyster.
The Stars in the Sky is an adventurous romp through the wild beasts of the stars, whilst Up Jumped The Crab is a charming puppet show in miniature showing a day at sea with the real Cromer crab fishermen of North Norfolk.
Be sure to head to Warley Woods on 19 February to meet Charlie, The Dragon Keeper, who will be roaming around with his pet dragons. Fans of myth and fairytales will also enjoy the classic tale of The Elves and the Shoemaker.
Puppets are not just for kids. This year, there’s a puppet-making workshop for grown-ups from Tat Vision in 1000 Trades on the Park, and an evening of song and stories inspired by the canals from Three Idle Women.
Artists and storytellers Bronia Evers and Peter Stevenson present a special exhibition at Thimblemill Library, showing her beautifully crafted ‘crankie’ scrolls. This is a unique story-telling device that will captivate visitors of all ages.
New for 2026 is the first ever Smethwick Puppetry Festival Scratch Night, giving audiences a chance to see extracts of brand-new work from emerging and established puppetry artists.
Thanks to the generous support of The Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, Arts Council England and Sandwell Council, this year’s festival is entirely Pay What You Can.
Smethwick Puppetry Festival will take place in community venues across Smethwick and Bearwood, including Dorothy Parkes Centre, Smethwick Library and Thimblemill Library.
Genevieve Say from Black Country Touring comments, “We’re delighted to welcome people to the third Smethwick Puppetry Festival, which continues to grow in scale, ambition and reputation across Smethwick and the wider Black Country. What began as a small pilot has quickly become a much-loved part of February half-term, bringing families, children and communities together for a week of joy, laughter and incredible artistry.”
For more details and to book tickets, visit bctouring.org.uk/puppet
