Newcastle Puppetry Festival
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Overview
The 5th edition of the Newcastle Puppetry Festival will take place 30th March – 7th April 2024. To find out more about the wider programme (including free events) taking place around the city, visit www.newcastlepuppetryfestival.co.uk
Newcastle Puppetry Festival has been made possible through funding from Arts Council England, North of Tyne Combined Authority, Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, Heritage Lottery, National Lottery Community Fund, Postcode Lottery, Barbour Trust and the Malings Community Fund.
Café Bar
From Mon 1 Apr – Fri 5 Apr, our Café Bar will be open from 11am and serving food from 12noon – 4pm. Please note that pre-theatre dining for evening Newcastle Puppetry Festival shows will not be available during these dates.
On Sat 6 Apr, our lunch menu will be available from 12noon – 3pm, with pre-theatre dining available from 5pm – 7.30pm.
We recommend reserving a table to avoid disappointment.
Bookable events
Free Events (no booking required)
Puppet Olympics
Hosted by Life & Limb Puppets (of Gateshead)
Wed 3rd April | 8.30pm (until the bar closes) | Ages 18+ | FREE / by donation on the night
Northern Stage: Stage 3
Puppet Olympics is back again for its fourth annual ceremony of games and awards. A relaxed social evening of puppet-themed fun – no puppetry experience needed! Life & Limb Puppets will rally teams to create their own puppets from recycling, before putting them to the test in a series of Olympic challenges. Prizes to be won!
Meet the Puppeteers Q+A: Lempen Puppet Theatre
Mon 1st April | 6.30pm | 30 mins | FREE (no booking required)
Northern Stage: Play Space
Meet the Puppeteers Q+A: Sarah Vigars
Tues 2nd April | 6.30pm | 30 mins | FREE (no booking required)
Northern Stage: Play Space
Meet the Puppeteers Q+A: Raven Kaliana
Wed 3rd April | 6pm | 30 mins | FREE (no booking required)
Northern Stage: Play Space
Meet the Puppeteers Q+A: Alison McGowan
Thurs 4th April | 6pm | 30 mins | FREE (no booking required)
Northern Stage: Play Space
Meet the Puppeteers Q+A: The Paper Cinema
Fri 5th April | 6.15pm | 30 mins | FREE (no booking required)
Northern Stage: Play Space
Meet the Puppeteers Q+A: Zannie Fraser
Sat 6th April | 6pm | 30 mins | FREE (no booking required)
Northern Stage: Play Space
There are two entrances to the theatre, Kings Road Entrance (this is the taxi drop-off/collection point) and the Main Entrance.
Both level entrances have automated doors. These lead into the foyer area where you will find the Restaurant, Bar, Box Office and entrances to Stages 1, 2 and 3.
STEP FREE ACCESS
Northern Stage is fully accessible. The theatre has three lifts providing access to all parts of the building, including the accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, stages 2 & 3 and the backstage area. Buggy parking is available
WHEELCHAIR SPACES
There are five wheelchair positions in Stage 1, two positions in Stage 2 and all seats are removeable in Stage 3.
TOILETS
We have a Changing Places toilet in the Stage 1 lobby and accessible toilets in Stage 3 and Stage 2 lower entrance lobby. Gender neutral toilets are situated in the Stage 2 lower entrance lobby.
HEARING ENHANCEMENT
Induction loop system in all public spaces, and an infra-red system in all three stages. (In Stage 1 the induction loop is best covered in rows E – L).
ASSISTANCE
One free ticket for the assistant of a disabled person who is not able to attend unaccompanied.
BOOKING COMPANION SEATING
To book a free ticket for a wheelchair companion or an assistant, contact our Box Office on 0191 230 5151, via email at boxoffice@northernstage.co.uk or by visiting our Box Office in person.
GUIDE DOGS
Guide, hearing and all working dogs are welcome here.
SEAT ACCESSIBILITY
Stage 1: Seats are 43 cm wide, 41cm deep, with 46cm between arm rests. The aisleway is 51cm deep from the seat back. Arm rests cannot be removed.
Stage 2: Seats are 40cm wide, 41cm deep. The aisleway is 64cm deep from the seat back. There are no arm rests.
Our seats are rated to British Standards at installation and are guaranteed to hold up to 110kg.
More Information
To discuss any access needs, take a look at our access page or please call our Box Office on 0191 230 5151.