Premiere puppet theatre performance in city centre

A premiere performance of a famous puppet theatre created by a Carlisle master craftsman will be held this Sunday (18 November) in the city centre.

Organised as part of this weekend’s Christmas lights switch-on entertainment programme, the performances will take place in the city centre shopping area (opposite Boots and Marks & Spencer’s). Four 20 minute performances will take place at 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

Created by Stan Parker the "Stanelli's Super Circus" was recently bought by John Parkinson’s Upfront Gallery Puppet Theatre using a Heritage Lottery grant. The marionettes include a trapeze artist, a clown and a caged tiger and form part of the Circus Marionette Collection. They have been used in performances around the world and this Sunday will be the first time the marionettes are performed in Carlisle’s city centre as part of an open-air production.

Stan Parker who died in July 2004, was better known overseas than in the UK, winning international recognition for a traditional form of puppetry over a period of 55 years during which he attended 70 international festivals, culminating as guest of honour at the 2003 Mistelbach Puppet Festival.

The puppet theatre performance will start this Sunday’s lights switch-on programme. Preparations are currently underway with the finishing touches being made to the new centrepiece illuminated tree in the city centre.

The tree will also be the focus for this year’s Light Up A Life carol service on Sunday, 18 November at 4pm. Each light on the tree will be dedicated to a loved one and will help raise money for the Eden Valley Hospice.

As part of the build-up to the event, a 'Reach for the Stars' local talent competition will also be held between 11am and 2pm. Three finalists will be chosen from three different age categories and will take part in a Reach for the Stars Grand Finale, starting at 4.45pm. The switch-on crowd will then determine the eventual overall winner by taking part in a live phone poll.

As part of the festivities, ‘Re-Take That’ will also be entertaining the crowds. Later on the afternoon Chico, an ITV X Factor finalist and firm family favourite, will join the Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Mrs Elizabeth Mallinson to trigger a galaxy of Christmas lights in the city centre at 5.30pm. The lights switch-on, arranged by Carlisle City Council, the News & Star and CFM Radio will begin Carlisle's countdown to Christmas and will be compered by the News & Star's David McNeill and CFM's Robbie Dee.