Member Article

Sunderland son returns home to relaunch mother's popular puppet business

Professional puppeteer Philip Thompson is relaunching a puppet show business in Sunderland, originally set up by his mother Doreen in 1999.

Now retired, the woman known by hundreds as The Puppet Lady became a puppeteer after service as an RAF Drill Officer and prison officer. Mrs Thompson made all of her own puppets, including those for Philip as a boy.

Philip, now aged 38, will perform his 40-minute puppet show at birthday parties, events, family gatherings and schools and community organisations.

On the new business launch, Philip said: “I am very pleased to be following in my mother’s footsteps as a puppeteer. Although I couldn’t really call myself The Puppet Lady so ‘Pips Puppets’ is the new name for the business.

“I really enjoy being a puppeteer. Bringing joy to people through the art of performance is a great thing to be able to do.

“In puppetry, you may be hidden from the audience but you can see their smiles, interaction and genuine enjoyment from behind the theatre. The shows really try to encourage interaction and bring out a child’s personality, and even many of the shy children actually love getting involved.”

Philip has recently returned to the region after working as a children’s entertainer in London to launch ‘Pips Puppets’ – a puppet show experience, that combines old-style fairy tales in a show that is one of a kind. The 40-minute show aims to entertain children age 2 to 7 but also those older too.

Now retired, Doreen revealed her delight that her son has returned to the area to follow in her footsteps.

She said: “I am thrilled that Philip is carrying on the puppet show business and that he has discovered his own talent as a puppeteer. Puppet shows entertain everyone, young and old, and really bring out a child’s personality when they are in the audience too,” said Doreen Thompson.

“I still remember Philip helping me when he was just a child, and in fact, my passion for puppets changed from a hobby to a business after he volunteered my services at his school.”