In puppet theatre figures stand in for humans and for a time we are drawn into a world of make-believe. In the best performances it is as if life is breathed into these figures. For a time we enter their world and are moved by their emotions.

The 'magic' of the puppet performance lies in the staging, the mechanics that bring these characters to life. Performance Gallery stages seven puppet traditions from around the world - some use water, some use light to hide the strings or rods that link puppet and puppeteer.

Follow the links below to find out more about these diverse puppet traditions.
... or see how these illusions are staged in the making of Performance Gallery