Expect the unexpected at Norwich Puppet Theatre’s Manipulate festival

Norwich Puppet Theatre is set to host the Manipulate Festival from January 30 until February 7.Among the events is Light, a programme featuring work by filmmakers who have taught at, or graduated from, Norwich University of the Arts. Photo: supplied. (Image: supplied)

The annual celebration of innovative visual theatre and animated film is returning to the city venue from January 30 until February 7 with a packed programme for older audiences that highlights how puppetry and animation are not just for children.

Ian Woods, Norwich Puppet Theatre's operations manager, said: 'Manipulate Visual Theatre Festival returns for its fifth year, with the highlight of the programme being Birdheart performed by Julian Crouch and Saskia Lane creating a show from a box of sand and a piece of brown paper!

'As ever we offer a local twist, this year with Light – an evening of films created by Norwich University of the Arts alumni and faculty members which has been curated for us by Professor Suzie Hanna.

'Expect the unexpected and enjoy a performance, a film or workshop, or all three in the week that is Manipulate!'

Norwich Puppet Theatre is set to host the Manipulate Festival from January 30 until February 7.Pictured is Kwaidan. Photo: Monika Kita. (Image: Monika Kita)

Also featured in the Manipulate programme are Kwaidan, a cinematic piece inspired by Japanese ghost stories and horror movies and featuring life-sized puppets; and Strings, a series of short stories delving into the darkest caverns of the human mind. There is a 2D animation workshop and a masterclass looking at the puppetry techniques and animation that inspired Birdheart.

The festival at Norwich Puppet Theatre is organised in conjunction with Puppet Animation Scotland.

For more, including dates and times of events, visit www.puppettheatre.co.uk

Do you have an arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk