Puppet Commissions

(2021-2024)

Below is a selection of puppets that I have built to commission in recent years. Taking on commissions is a brilliant opportunity for me to test out new ideas, as well as refine my more established techniques. For more insight into my making process, please visit my Instagram page, where I post regular updates.

Update May 2023: marionette making has become an endangered craft!
Marionette making has recently been added to the Heritage Craft Association’s red list of endangered crafts (more info here).
I am proud to be one of the few remaining professional makers of marionettes in the UK!

Loewe Commercial Marionettes (2024)

In 2024 I worked as Lead Puppet Maker on a short film commercial for client Loewe, directed by Joseph Wallace and produced by Curate Films. For full film credits visit my Instagram page.

Puppetry team credits:

  • Rabbit, whale, octopus and hamster marionettes made by Sarah Vigars

  • All marionettes painted by Sarah Vigars

  • Girl puppet carved by Jan Zalud

  • Girl puppet costumed by Amanda Thomas

  • Marionette controls built by John Roberts

  • Fish puppets carved by Sarah Vigars and Jan Zalud

  • Marionettes operated by Ailsa Dalling, Stan Middleton and Ashleigh Cheadle

  • Rabbit and hamster automata built by Lisa Ott

  • Submarine automaton built by Stephen Guy

Robin Marionette (2024)

Made to commission for puppeteer and entertainer José Navarro (based in London)

Squirrel Marionette (2024)

Made to commission for puppeteer and entertainer José Navarro (based in London)

Peacock Head Glove Puppet (2024)

Made to commission for musician Miranda Lewis, for her children’s theatre piece ‘The Pigeon and the Peacock’. Puppeteered by Soledad Zarate and Bori Mezo (London).

Peacock Tail (2024)

Made to commission for musician Miranda Lewis, for her children’s theatre piece ‘The Pigeon and the Peacock’. Puppeteered by Soledad Zarate and Bori Mezo (London).

Small Birds - Rod Marionettes (2024)

Made to commission for musician Miranda Lewis, for her children’s theatre piece ‘The Pigeon and the Peacock’. Puppeteered by Soledad Zarate and Bori Mezo (London).

Mr Fitz Glove Puppets and Mannequins (2023)

Made to commission for author Garth Nix, to accompany the launch of his 2023 book ‘SIR HEREWARD AND MR FITZ: Tales of the Witch Knight and the Puppet Sorceror’

Condor Marionette, version 2 (2023)

Made to commission for puppeteer and entertainer José Navarro (based in London)

Condor Marionette, version 1 (2022)

Made to commission for puppeteer and entertainer José Navarro (based in London)

Pigeon Marionette (2022)

Made to commission for musician Miranda Lewis, for her new children’s theatre piece ‘The Pigeon and the Peacock’. Puppeteered by Soledad Zarate and Stan Middleton (London).

Siamese Kitten Marionette (2022)

Made to commission for puppeteer and entertainer José Navarro (based in London)

Hummingbird Marionette (2021)

Made to commission for puppeteer and entertainer José Navarro (based in London)

Cat Marionette (2021)

Made to commission for Running Dog Theatre (Exeter)

Rod Puppets and Suitcase Sets (2021)

Designed and made for Above Bounds Theatre Collective (Plymouth, UK) for their participatory schools project ‘With Flying Colours’. The characters and storyline were conceived by primary school pupils at Beechwood Academy in Plymouth.