It’s back. From the 28 October, and for ten whole delicious days, London will once again be populated by puppets. Fans of anything that magics inanimate objects to life, we loved Suspense in 2009 and can’t wait for it to return.
Spread over eleven venues (including the V&A and Roundhouse) and featuring 30 different companies from around the world, don’t mistake this as being one for the youngsters. The festival is aimed squarely at adults and this year takes ‘puppetry and politics’ as its theme.
As well as offering an intriguing programme of performances, there are also workshops, talks and film screenings planned. We’re looking forward to a late night puppet cabaret at Wilton’s Music Hall, an exploration of old age at the Little Angel, Iranian Lorca at the New Diorama, folky puppetry at the Pleasance and an Edinburgh Fringe hit at Jackson’s Lane – look out for reviews of them all. Take a look at the full line-up on the Suspense website.
Suspense is the baby of the Little Angel Theatre, which celebrates its 50th birthday this year. Found down a narrow passageway in north London, it’s the pocket-sized home of British puppetry. As a festival preview treat, have a listen to an audio portrait of the playhouse in five acts, with music by Ben Glasstone and featuring an interview with festival director Peter Glanville and the man who once played Zippy and Sweep - Ronnie Le Drew.
