Little Angel Theatre, the beloved Islington-based puppet theatre, has unveiled a rich programme of productions for Autumn/Winter 2026 as it continues to celebrate its 65th anniversary, which falls this November. The season spans world premieres, returning family favourites, a nationwide tour and an appearance at Sydney Opera House, cementing the venue’s reputation as one of the UK’s foremost champions of puppetry and theatre for young audiences.
Founded in 1961 by John and Lyndie Wright, Little Angel Theatre has spent more than six decades creating original puppet theatre for children and families from its intimate home on Dagmar Passage in Islington. Its productions regularly tour the UK and travel internationally, and the venue is widely regarded as having played a central role in sustaining the craft of puppetry as a serious art form in Britain.
Artistic Director Samantha Lane and Executive Director Peta Swindall said of the new season: “This season, continuing our 65th anniversary celebrations, is a celebration of stories that bring people together. Alongside brand-new productions, beloved family favourites and exciting collaborations, we’re continuing our commitment to creating ambitious theatre that sparks imagination, nurtures creativity and places puppetry at the heart of unforgettable experiences for children and families. Whether audiences join us in Islington, meet us on tour or discover our work internationally, we hope this season inspires curiosity, laughter and a lifelong love of theatre.”
World Premiere and New Productions
The centrepiece of the autumn programme is the world premiere of Pip and Posy Live on Stage, a co-production with Fierylight and Mayflower Southampton, running at Little Angel Theatre from 19 September to 22 November 2026 before embarking on a UK tour stretching into summer 2027. Aimed at children aged two to five, the 45-minute show is inspired by the BAFTA-nominated animated series from Magic Light Pictures and based on the popular picture books by Axel Scheffler — the illustrator behind The Gruffalo — published by Nosy Crow. The production is written and directed by Lane, with music and lyrics by Barb Jungr; the pair are also the Olivier Award-nominated creative team behind Toto The Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape. The show promises toe-tapping songs, puppetry, and interactive play as best friends Pip and Posy embark on a jungle adventure. Tour venues include Liverpool Playhouse, HOME Manchester, New Theatre Cardiff and Mayflower Southampton, among many others.
Also new to the programme is The Pied Piper: A Rat’s Tale, an Indefinite Articles production in association with Little Angel Theatre, playing at Little Angel Studios from 12 September to 7 November 2026. Suitable for audiences aged five and over, the 50-minute show retells the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin from the perspective of Horatio, a brave rat at the heart of the story. Written by Michael Fowkes and Steve Tiplady, directed by Sally Todd and performed by Tiplady, the production combines puppetry, storytelling and original music composed by Mikey Kirkpatrick.
Festive Favourites and Christmas Offerings
The winter schedule brings two seasonal productions. Scruff’s Christmas Adventure, a co-production with Old Town Hall, returns to Little Angel Theatre from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with additional performances touring schools and community spaces. Written and directed by Charlotte Irwin, with music and lyrics by Zara Nunn, the 35-minute interactive show follows Scruff the puppy on a quest to find the perfect Christmas gift and is aimed at children aged three to eight.
Running alongside it at Little Angel Studios is The Snowflake, a co-production with Birmingham Rep and Polka Theatre, playing from 21 November 2026 to 23 January 2027. Based on the picture book by Benji Davies and adapted and directed by Matt Aston, the 50-minute production tells the story of a snowflake, a little girl and her grandfather, each searching for their place in the world. Puppet design and puppetry direction is by Oliver Hymans, with composition and sound design by Julian Butler.
On Tour and Overseas
On the road, Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape — a new musical based on Dermot O’Leary’s best-selling children’s book, adapted by Lane and Jungr, and a co-production with Mercury Theatre and Mayflower Theatre — continues a nationwide tour from 23 July to 1 November 2026. Full tour dates and venues are available at the Toto the Ninja Cat tour page.
Internationally, Little Angel’s stage adaptation of Eileen Browne’s picture book Handa’s Surprise, for children aged two to five, will travel to Sydney Opera House from 28 September to 2 October 2026 as part of the Wild Things International Kids Festival.
As part of its 65th anniversary celebrations, the theatre will also host All Strings Attached: Marionettes and the Work of Keeping a Craft Alive, a Q&A panel discussion on 23 August bringing together members of the puppetry community. The event will be accompanied by a screening of short documentary Untangling, which explores the power of puppetry. Further information is available at www.littleangeltheatre.com.
