RACHEL LEONARD. Puppeteer/Performer
I am passionate about puppetry, how it can enrich theatrical storytelling by expanding the possibilities for imaginative exploration of ideas. From abstract form, to detailed naturalistic observation- puppets require their audience to play a game, to read and interpret the movements they are seeing, greatly increasing their personal investment in the stories being told. I have been immersed in the world of puppetry for 26 years, being cast in productions that require vocal and physical flexibility. I have had the great fortune to collaborate with inspiring designers, directors, composers, choreographers and performers from many disciplines. I am proud to be part of an ancient tradition that is now experiencing a vibrant renaissance in the great theatre of our times.
I am passionate about puppetry, how it can enrich theatrical storytelling by expanding the possibilities for imaginative exploration of ideas. From abstract form, to detailed naturalistic observation- puppets require their audience to play a game, to read and interpret the movements they are seeing, greatly increasing their personal investment in the stories being told. I have been immersed in the world of puppetry for 26 years, being cast in productions that require vocal and physical flexibility. I have had the great fortune to collaborate with inspiring designers, directors, composers, choreographers and performers from many disciplines. I am proud to be part of an ancient tradition that is now experiencing a vibrant renaissance in the great theatre of our times.
Theatre performance credits.
Good Chance Theatre: The Walk of Welcome (2020-2021) Directed by Amir Nizar Zuabi -
I was on the puppetry team, walking a 3 and a half metre tall child puppet, from Syria to the UK to focus attention on displaced children everywhere.
Whose Paradise Theatre: Dinosaurs And All That Rubbish (R&D 2020- Tour 2022) Directed by Steve Tiplady
I am a founder member of this puppet co which has been formed during the Covid 19 Pandemic to devise this new piece of environmentally concerned theatre, for open air performances.
MIF, Phelim McDermott and Philip Glass: The Tao of Glass.(Perth international Festival 2020)
One of 3 puppeteer/facilitators to this personal and delicately unfolding story.
Handspring Theatre Co: Il Returno D'Ulisse (2021/19/17/16) Directed by William Kentridge -
Performing the role of Penelope, a nearly life size figure. We’ve taken the show far and wide including South Korea, New York and Europe. More to come in 2020.
Kneehigh: Fup (2018 and 2016) directed by Simon Harvey - Fup is a larger than life duck.
A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings (2016/13) directed by Mike Shepherd -
The Gabriel Garcia Marquez story told with a host of table top puppets.
The National Theatre: War Horse (2009 and 2007) -
Working with Handspring's extraordinary horses, I was in the original cast at The Olivier and also at The New London Theatre.
The RSC: Venus and Adonis (2017/07/04) directed by Greg Doran and puppetry by Steve Tiplady -
With Marionettes, Shadows and Bunraku style puppetry.
The Little Angel Theatre (1994 - present): Titles include -
The Journey Home, Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Little Mermaid, The Fisherman and his Soul, Angelo, and The Peach Child. (Using all types of puppetry)
Light Theatre: The Magic Beanstalk (2016/ 2014)
An educational touring production exploring science, with rod puppets.
Horse and Bamboo: Moominland Midwinter (2015) -
With Rod and shadow puppets in various scales.
Sujata Banergee: Draupadi, a Fire Born Princess (2015) -
Indian dance and Bunraku figures.
Blind Summit: The 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony -
Operating huge inflatable figures.
The Puppet Theatre Barge (1995- 2007). Titles include -
Macbeth, The Tempest, and Bottom's Dream. All incorporating Marionettes, shadows and rod puppets.
Puppetry directing
West Yorkshire Playhouse: The Wizard of Oz (2019) directed by James Brining.
Trafalgar Studios: The Grinning Man (2018/17) Directed by Tom Morris.
Mercury Theatre Colchester: Babe, The Sheep Pig (2018) Directed by Katie Posner.
The RSC: A Midsummer Night's Dream (2008/ 2005) directed by Greg Doran -
I assisted Steve Tiplady with the puppet direction for this production and the puppet training for the cast.
Film credits
Solo - A Star Wars Story (2017) Operating animatronic rod puppets.
Muppets Most Wanted (2013) Operating glove/rod puppets.
Prometheus. Ridley Scott (2012) Operating animatronic and rod puppets.
Teaching
The Curious School of Puppetry (2020/19/18/17/16):
I am one of the team of tutors. I lead the students in yoga based physical training.
Training
Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke (1984/85) - Theatre Foundation Course.
Trained to teach Body Balance, exercise classes based on the disciplines of Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates.
Good Chance Theatre: The Walk of Welcome (2020-2021) Directed by Amir Nizar Zuabi -
I was on the puppetry team, walking a 3 and a half metre tall child puppet, from Syria to the UK to focus attention on displaced children everywhere.
Whose Paradise Theatre: Dinosaurs And All That Rubbish (R&D 2020- Tour 2022) Directed by Steve Tiplady
I am a founder member of this puppet co which has been formed during the Covid 19 Pandemic to devise this new piece of environmentally concerned theatre, for open air performances.
MIF, Phelim McDermott and Philip Glass: The Tao of Glass.(Perth international Festival 2020)
One of 3 puppeteer/facilitators to this personal and delicately unfolding story.
Handspring Theatre Co: Il Returno D'Ulisse (2021/19/17/16) Directed by William Kentridge -
Performing the role of Penelope, a nearly life size figure. We’ve taken the show far and wide including South Korea, New York and Europe. More to come in 2020.
Kneehigh: Fup (2018 and 2016) directed by Simon Harvey - Fup is a larger than life duck.
A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings (2016/13) directed by Mike Shepherd -
The Gabriel Garcia Marquez story told with a host of table top puppets.
The National Theatre: War Horse (2009 and 2007) -
Working with Handspring's extraordinary horses, I was in the original cast at The Olivier and also at The New London Theatre.
The RSC: Venus and Adonis (2017/07/04) directed by Greg Doran and puppetry by Steve Tiplady -
With Marionettes, Shadows and Bunraku style puppetry.
The Little Angel Theatre (1994 - present): Titles include -
The Journey Home, Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Little Mermaid, The Fisherman and his Soul, Angelo, and The Peach Child. (Using all types of puppetry)
Light Theatre: The Magic Beanstalk (2016/ 2014)
An educational touring production exploring science, with rod puppets.
Horse and Bamboo: Moominland Midwinter (2015) -
With Rod and shadow puppets in various scales.
Sujata Banergee: Draupadi, a Fire Born Princess (2015) -
Indian dance and Bunraku figures.
Blind Summit: The 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony -
Operating huge inflatable figures.
The Puppet Theatre Barge (1995- 2007). Titles include -
Macbeth, The Tempest, and Bottom's Dream. All incorporating Marionettes, shadows and rod puppets.
Puppetry directing
West Yorkshire Playhouse: The Wizard of Oz (2019) directed by James Brining.
Trafalgar Studios: The Grinning Man (2018/17) Directed by Tom Morris.
Mercury Theatre Colchester: Babe, The Sheep Pig (2018) Directed by Katie Posner.
The RSC: A Midsummer Night's Dream (2008/ 2005) directed by Greg Doran -
I assisted Steve Tiplady with the puppet direction for this production and the puppet training for the cast.
Film credits
Solo - A Star Wars Story (2017) Operating animatronic rod puppets.
Muppets Most Wanted (2013) Operating glove/rod puppets.
Prometheus. Ridley Scott (2012) Operating animatronic and rod puppets.
Teaching
The Curious School of Puppetry (2020/19/18/17/16):
I am one of the team of tutors. I lead the students in yoga based physical training.
Training
Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke (1984/85) - Theatre Foundation Course.
Trained to teach Body Balance, exercise classes based on the disciplines of Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates.
Top photo: by Steve Tanner. Bottom photo: The Journey Home Puppets made by Michael Fowkes