A celebration of puppetry and television magic: Unveiling two spectacular events this spring at Colchester Castle

PUBLISHED: 2 February 2024


Prepare to be captivated as Colchester Castle proudly announces a new exhibition and event that will transport audiences into the nostalgic world of puppetry and television.

Mark your calendars for the opening of Thunderbirds and Co: The Joy of Puppetry exhibition on the 29 March at Colchester Castle.

This will be followed by a weekend of television magic from the 6-7 April.

Promising a nostalgic journey through the annals of television history the exhibition will be celebrating the work and legacy of local puppeteer Joy Laurey and the iconic creations of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. Featuring iconic puppets and memorabilia from the heyday of TV puppetry, from Mr Turnip to Thunderbirds, it will trace the evolution of puppetry in television from its inception to the present day.

The weekend of 6-7 April will build upon the exhibition and introduce more modern memorabilia, props and puppets, and introduce beloved characters from the nation's favourite, Dr Who. Stand by for two days of action! From classic children's shows to adult nostalgia – this weekend promises to be a fun packed experience for visitors of all ages.

Then evening events will feature actors performing live radio plays, expert talks and opportunities to get close to original puppets and more.

Councillor Cllr Michelle Burrows, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, said: “Mark your diaries now and join us in celebrating the colour, magic and nostalgic joy that TV and film brings to our lives. We are proud to be supporting local charity Headway Essex with both these events and appeal to the public to show their support by attending and helping to change local lives with the work this fantastic charity does.”

Contributors to the exhibition said: “It's FAB to support Headway Essex, our local brain injury charity, with an exhibition of original and replica puppets and special events in Colchester Castle. The exhibition celebrates the connection between local puppeteer Joy Laurey and Gerry Anderson, the creator of the iconic TV series, Thunderbirds."

Both events will be included in Castle entry.

Discover more:
Exhibition Page: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/joy-of-puppetry/
Weekend Day Events: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/big-tv-days/
Weekend Evening Events: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/big-tv-evenings/

Mark your diaries now. More information will be coming soon.
 

Page last reviewed: 2 February 2024

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