Colchester Museums is excited to unveil additional information regarding the upcoming Big TV Weekend events at Colchester Castle. This announcement includes details about notable personalities and cherished memorabilia that will be present during the evening events on the 6 and 7 April.
By day, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the Thunderbirds & Co: The Joy of Puppetry exhibition, immersing themselves in the rich tapestry of TV history.
In addition, for this special weekend only, attendees can expect an array of additional delights including puppet displays, engaging talks, and captivating demonstrations ensuring a lively celebration of all thing’s children’s television. In another exclusive, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the beloved television series Stingray, the original ‘Marina’ puppet will be available to view over the whole weekend offering fans a rare opportunity to witness a rare slice of television history.
As night falls, Colchester Castle will come alive with a series of spectacular evening events tailored for fans eager to immerse themselves in nostalgia. This unique occasion gives attendees access to enjoy the Thunderbirds & Co: The Joy of Puppetry exhibition as well as the opportunity to mingle with iconic personalities and puppets from the realm of children’s TV, alongside captivating live radio plays and insightful guest speakers.
Our guest speakers for the evening events are:
Ronnie Le Drew – Best known as Zippy from the popular Rainbow series, Ronnie has worked on films including Labyrinth with David Bowie, The Little Shop of Horrors, The Muppets Christmas Carol, and Netflix series Dark Crystal Age of Resistance.
Ronnie will be giving an illustrated talk about his career and will introduce original iconic TV puppets Zippy, Muffin the Mule, Sooty, Sweep and Sue.
Mary Turner – the lead puppet operator and sculptor from the Gerry Anderson TV series Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet and many more, will be talking about her career. Mary will be bringing Gerry and Sylvia Anderson puppets including the original Lady Penelope puppet from Thunderbirds.
Councillor Cllr Michelle Burrows, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, said: “We are thrilled to announce our rather special guests and the exciting pieces of TV history they will bring with them. The Marina puppet is extremely exciting. It's not only a testament to the talent of TV giant Gerry Anderson and his team, but also a cherished item of television history.”
Tickets cost £25 for adults, £12.50 for children and can be purchased at Colchester Castle or calling 01206 282939. But hurry, as tickets are selling fast.
Thunderbirds & Co: The Joy of Puppetry exhibition will be on display at Colchester Castle from 29 March – 30 June.
The Big TV Weekend runs from the 6-7 April. Daytime events are included in Castle admission, evening event tickets must be purchased in advance.
Page last reviewed: 15 March 2024