John M. Blundall (1937-2014), British puppeteer, craftsman, fine artist, set designer, teacher and collector. The most prolific producer of puppet theater in the UK. From an early age John was curious about puppet theater.
In 1951, he founded what would be his first company, Festival Marionettes. He studied the art of puppetry with Sergei Obraztsov and Leonora Shpet. John M. Blundall's productions with their large, colorful puppets are testament to the influence of Eastern European work during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1962 he joined the company that designed the famous figures for Gerry's television series and Sylvia Anderson. Between 1965 and 1966, he worked as a designer and director of productions for The Caricature Theater of Wales to later focus on what would become his great project.
In 1968, Blundall founded the Cannon Hill Puppet Theater company, whose headquarters were located at the Midlands Arts Center in Birmingham, and until 1992 he was its artistic director. He wrote, designed and directed more than 50 works. He trained many puppeteers and gave specialization and vocational training courses all over the world.
He was also an Honorary Member of UNIMA and a member of its Executive Committee from 1976 to 1996, being President of the UNIMA British Center from 1978 to 1997 and Honorary President until 2004.
He was also an Honorary Member of UNIMA and a member of its Executive Committee from 1976 to 1996, being President of the UNIMA British Center from 1978 to 1997 and Honorary President until 2004.
Museum’s opening hours
From Tuesday to Friday
From 10:00 to 13:00 // From 16:00 to 19:00
Weekends and holidays
From 10:30 to 14:00 // From 16:00 to 19:30
Mondays: Closed
The museum will be closed on January 1 and 6, on January 5 in the afternoon; in Carnival from the 27th to the 5th, on June 24 for the San Juan festivities and on December 25. On December 24 and 31 in the afternoon.
Access to the theater will be closed 15 minutes after the start of the performance.
Tolosa Puppet
International Center
Euskal Herria Plaza
20400 Tolosa
Gipuzkoa