Puppets on Parade
Beloved puppets from The Wizard of Oz, The Shepherd’s Life and Around the World in 80 Days appear in exhibitions and a new film project across the UK.
Some of Theatre by the Lake’s (TBTL) most memorable puppets are stepping beyond the stage and into new adventures, with several creations from past productions currently appearing in exhibitions and film projects across the UK.
The puppet Toto from the theatre’s 2025 Christmas production The Wizard of Oz is now featured in A Dog’s Life at Rheged Discovery Centre. The international touring exhibition explores the enduring relationship between humans and their canine companions through the work of artists, designers, illustrators and photographers including Sophie Ryder, William Wegman and David Shrigley.
“The exhibition explores how dogs inspire artists, and our connection to them. It brings together the work of international artists, designers, illustrators, and photographers. We also added our own touch to the touring exhibition, with a spotlight on Cumbrian breeds, hero working dogs, Cumbrian artists and the Yorkshire artist Helen Foan who is the designer and maker of Toto the Dog. Several members of our team went to see The Wizard of Oz at Theatre By The Lake and we absolutely loved it, so it feels particularly special to have Toto included here. Being able to see the character up close gives visitors a wonderful insight into the artistry and craftsmanship behind the performance.”
The family-friendly exhibition invites visitors to share photos of their own dogs, create ‘pooch pawtraits’ and even discover what they might look like as a dog using an interactive display. For the first time, well-behaved dogs are also welcome inside the gallery.
A Dog’s Life runs at Rheged from 13 February to 14 June 2026.
Closer to home, a flock of sheep and two sheepdog puppets from TBTL’s nationally acclaimed 2016 production The Shepherd’s Life are currently on display in Outside In at Keswick Museum. The immersive exhibition allows visitors to explore the Lake District through cutting-edge technology including aerial footage, 360° video and augmented reality experiences.
Joseph Massey, Assistant Curator at Keswick Museum, said: “We’re delighted to have loaned these incredible puppets from TBTL. They’re a fantastic example of bringing the outside in, as the puppeteers made them move like real animals on the stage. Visitors’ faces light up as soon as they see the sheep and sheepdogs!”
The puppets will remain part of the exhibition until February 2027.
Further afield, TBTL’s elephant puppet head from our 2023 production of Around the World in 80 Days is being transformed with a new body and legs for the upcoming film By a Thread, directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Alex Lockwood.
Oliver Hyman, Associate Director at Little Angel Theatre and lead puppet designer/director on the film, said: “It’s been incredibly exciting to help shape a visual language that brings the natural world to life through puppetry on screen. We’re thrilled to be utilising the elephant head from TBTL, originally created by Naomi Oppenheim whose artistry and involvement so far in this project has been invaluable.”
Filming will take place at the Eden Project in Cornwall, with the film exploring the urgent need to rewild our planet and inspire deeper connections with the natural world.
From gallery walls to museum displays and the big screen, TBTL’s puppets continue to delight audiences long after their final bow.