Puppet Theatre: The Designers’ Theatre

This exhibition will show a wide range of original designs for puppets and settings selected from those created forthe productions of Cannon Hill Puppet Theatre by John M Blundall, recognised as one of the worlds leading exponents of the art

During the 25 years of the existence of Cannon Hill Puppet Theatre at The Midlands Arts Centre, in Birmingham, the organisation was recognised as one of the most innovative of its kind, and one of the leading children's theatre companies in the UK.It alsoestablished a strong international reputation for its unique work around the world

Cannon Hill Puppet Theatre was created by John M Blundall in 1968. He was the director and artistic leader of the theatre. Between 1969 and 1993, nearly eighty productions were created and presented, most of them designed, directed and written by him. Other work includes: creator of La Boite a Jojoux - Debussy,with Simon Rattle and The London Sinfonietta - South Bank Summer Festival, London, and Pacific Overtures - Stephen Sondheim, The English National Opera, The London Coliseum. John’s numerous television and film credits include: Fireball XL5, Stingray, and Thunderbirds

John is now the Artistic Director of 'The World Through Wooden Eyes', at The Mitchell Library, Glasgow, home to the John M Blundall Collection, the finest inspirational assembly of multicultural material from all over the world for the development of creative puppet theatre in the UK