The Puppet Roadshow: The Fairy Who Wanted To Fly

The Fairy who wanted to Fly was first performed as work in progress at Fringe Theatre Fest 2024. The work is inspired by the support I received during personal experience of bereavement, loss & PTS.

The central character Mary is a marionette carved & costumed during 2023. I had not carved for many years & with the support of my mentor John Roberts:PuppetCraft I created the basic figure and control mechanism. The raven & hand/rod puppets are inspired by Phil Fletcher:Hacker T Dog CBBC.

The story evolved during a period when I was receiving treatment for dissociation. Influences came from many directions as I regained cognitive function.

The environment of Torridge, where I was born, became an ally in my perception of myself as Permaculture practitioner. I completed a full time MA course in Arts Health and Wellbeing which provided intellectual stimulation to enable me to rewire my brain. Marjon University awarded me a bursary to study with Puppet Therapy Barcelona.

I based my dissertation on partnership work with Families in Grief. The show has evolved thanks to many supportive people. Last year my health prevented me from performing but this year Mary is ready to fly...

Review: 

The Fairy Who Wanted to Fly – a charming and heartfelt story

At the very heart of Fringe TheatreFest is storytelling, of all kinds, for all folks.

For 2025, The Puppet Roadshow brings us a charming and heartfelt story of patience and growth with The Fairy Who Wanted to Fly.

We meet Mary, a little girl who loves nothing more than spending time with nature in her Grandfather’s garden, and who wishes to fly like the fairies in the forest. As the story grows, some spiteful sprites and a dishonest raven challenge Mary’s curious and trusting nature, but honesty and support triumph over ambition and deception.

The hand-carved puppets in this show are utterly delightful, offering a great amount of beauty and character. Their loveliness is enhanced once you learn of the personal journeys that make them unique; each scrap of fabric holds a treasured memory, and each design element is carefully considered.

The raven swoops overhead; the fairies flutter between audience members; and Mary delights with a simple head tilt and a wave of her ‘gardener’s’ hands.

At its surface, this is a colourful, whimsical, nature-filled story of innocence, imagination and hope. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find messages about resilience, support, and patience that will resonate with anyone who has navigated challenging times in life.

Here is a show for all ages and is sure to enchant while leaving us with a sense of poignancy. The Fairy Who Wanted to Fly is a wonderful example of how storytelling, creativity and characters can help us navigate, understand, and accept the ups and downs of life.

Allow yourself to be whisked away for a few minutes of gentle, yet layered, entertainment.

Full list of all Fringe Extra, Barnstaple, performances here.