Millers' puppets make Minster debut
Mon 30th June 2014
Puppets created by service users at Millers Day Centre will be brought to life during a two-week display at Beverley Minster.
The Minster Monsters and Mythical Creatures interactive display is part of Beverley Puppet Festival and will be held in a darkened gazebo in the Minster’s north transept.
The project was part of the 2014 puppet festival’s education project which saw Indigo Moon Theatre Company work with service users at Millers Day Centre – an East Riding of Yorkshire Council-run facility for vulnerable adults.
Under the guidance of Anna Ingleby, director of the Indigo Moon Theatre Company, the service users, some of whom have very complex disabilities, took part in a number of workshops.
They created a number of shadow puppets, including a lion, ghost and mermaid, as well as creating the colourful background for the dark shadows to appear on and members of the public visiting the installation will be encouraged to bring the creatures to life.
Anna, who is also the founder and director of Beverley Puppet Festival said: “There is usually an educational programme that runs alongside the puppet festival and I thought it would be nice this year to take it out of the conventional school setting and bring it to Millers Day Centre.
“It has been really great to work with the people from Millers, to develop their ideas and see them brought to life.
“As well as showcasing the contributions that Millers have made towards the design and the scenery, we hope it will inspire the general public to have lots of fun with shadow theatre.”
Councillor Richard Harrap, portfolio holder for adult and carer services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “For the people at Millers to be involved in a project like this is fantastic as it has included some of our service users who have very complex needs.
“As well as creating the shadow puppets, service users have also been involved in creating the colourful background scenery – making the whole project a very sensory experience.
“Parents and carers should be proud of what has been achieved and being displayed at Beverley Minster means the general public can also see the work that has gone into this project.”
The Minster Monsters and Mythical Creatures will be on display at Beverley Minster between 1-13 July and there is free entry during the general Minster opening hours.
