We’re pleased to share the 1998 editions of the British UNIMA Centre Bulletin, thoughtfully edited by Robert Fowler. These three issues (97–99) offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of puppetry at the turn of the millennium. From Victorian marionette traditions in Scotland to contemporary festivals, prison puppetry projects, and in-depth features from Myanmar, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe, this collection captures a year of rich, international exploration. Each bulletin reflects BrUNIMA’s commitment to preserving and sharing the diverse voices and practices that shape the puppetry landscape.
Below, you can download the full issues or view them online using the page-turner links.
Bulletin issue 97, Published March 1997
Bulletin issue 98, Published July 1998
Bulletin issue 99, Published Nov 1998
British UNIMA Centre Bulletin issue 97, Published March 1997
19.2MB ∙ PDF file
BrUNIMA Bulletin 97 Published March 1998 takes a reflective look at the Victorian marionette companies in Scotland, shedding light on their pivotal role in shaping the art form. It delves into the comedic world of Mamulengo puppets, featuring insightful commentary from experts like Cariad Astles, and highlights the Eastbourne Toy Theatre Festival. Further enriching the issue, we explore the traditions of puppet shows in Northern Dubrogea and peek into the unique Swiss-German puppetry scene. You'll also find updates on various media in the world of puppetry, including a piece on backstage gossip, as well as an obituary for the influential Jan Wilkowski.
With a detailed look at the Belgo-British Festival, this bulletin is a must-read for anyone interested in the evolving and enduring legacy of puppetry across the globe.
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British UNIMA Centre Bulletin Issue 98 July 1998
18.4MB ∙ PDF file
The twinning of BrUNIMA Belgium UNIMA continues with an account of the visit to London and Birmingham by the Belgian puppeteers to the Belgo-British Festival. Mickey Aronoff concludes her notes on Swiss-German Puppetry and presents the first part of her report of the Charleville Puppets in Prison Conference. The approach of the millennium year prompts Darius Halpern to review Millennium I,a puppet play by WA Dwiggins. John Phillips reviews Popular Puppet Theatre in Europe, 1800-1914 by John McCormick and Bennie Pratasik, and Penny Francis reports on the 1998 Bielsko-Biala Festival with latest news from the UNIMa Publication Commission. Meg Amsden summarises the Romanian and UK Eco Puppets Project at the Shadows of the Delta Conference, and Robert Fowler in addition to his regular Media Watch, provides notes on the Vietnam National Puppet Theatre and a review of a puppet production of Le Nozze di Figaro by the Sládek Mime Theatre from Bratislava.
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British UNIMA Bulletin Issue 99 November 1998
21.7MB ∙ PDF file
Another around the world issue. Janet Macallister’s Dancers on Strings describes in detail the Puppetry in Myanmar. Penny Francis reviews Beggars Belief, a collaboration of Trestle Theatre and Kherson Theatre from Ukraine, and the puppetry of Milan Sládek at the Slovak National Theatre is described by Lorraine von Gehlen, while Robert Fowler looks at the puppetry of Anton Anderle’s family tree and at La Danse des Kachina exhibition of figures associated with the Pueblo Indians. Mickey Aronoff concludes her report on Puppets in Prisons Conference containing accounts from Mexico, USA and UK. There are obituaries for John Phillips – historian and aesthetician of the English marionette theatre by John McCormick and John Furse; Peter Scriven director of the Marionette Theatre of Australia; and Lee Tien-lu described as a ‘national treasure’ of Taiwan.
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