John Blundall’s design for the King in the 1987 Cannon Hill Puppet Theatre production of Puss in Boots. The puppets were performed by Malcolm Robinson, Phil Knowles, Lyn Robertson Hay and Andrew Levy. The play was written by Richard Edmonds and directed by Simon Painter, with all puppets and sets designed by John Blundall.
Cannon Hill Puppet Theatre emerged in the late 1960s from John Blundall’s ambition to create a modern, professional puppet theatre, one rooted in deep knowledge of puppetry and mime, yet open to experimentation. Influenced by European models and his experiences in Eastern Europe, Blundall envisioned a company that broke away from the traditional “jack‑of‑all‑trades” approach. Instead, he sought to bring together trained specialists—designers, directors, writers, craftspeople and technicians, working collaboratively under a unified artistic vision. The newly built Midlands Arts Centre for Young People in Birmingham provided the ideal home, encouraging innovation in puppetry, movement, lighting, sound and audience engagement. In 1968, the Cannon Hill Puppet Theatre gave its first performance.
Over the following decades, Cannon Hill Puppet Theatre became one of the UK’s leading children’s theatres, gaining an international reputation through major tours and festival appearances. It produced both large‑scale and intimate works, maintained an intensive performance schedule, and commissioned new writing and music from notable artists, including composers associated with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The theatre also became a vital hub for the wider puppetry community, hosting international companies as well as exhibitions, masterclasses, and major Guild and UNIMA events.
