We are looking to recruit a Puppet Technician No. 1 (War Horse UK Tour 2024-26) - Fixed Term Contract
The National Theatre’s acclaimed production returns in an all-new UK tour. War Horse is an unforgettable theatrical experience which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized horses by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage.
At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in No Man’s Land. Albert, who remained on his parents’ Devon farm, cannot forget Joey. Though still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find Joey and bring him home.
Key show dates:
* Puppetry rehearsals will commence on 8th July 2024
* Full company rehearsals will commence on 15 July 2024
* Technical rehearsals from 26 August 2024 in Wimbledon (New Wimbledon Theatre)
* First performance on 5 September 2024 at the New Wimbledon Theatre
All dates are subject to change and confirmation.
Venues announced so far: New Wimbledon Theatre (Wimbledon), The Lowry (Salford), Mayflower Theatre (Southampton), The Marlowe (Canterbury), Sunderland Empire (Sunderland), Theatre Royal Plymouth (Plymouth), New Theatre Oxford (Oxford), New Victoria Theatre (Woking), Bord Gais Energy Theatre (Dublin), The Grand Opera House (Belfast), The Regent Theatre (Stoke), Grand Theatre (Wolverhampton), Theatre Royal (Glasgow), Liverpool Empire, Milton Keynes Theatre, Nottingham Concert Hall and Bristol Hippodrome.
The successful candidate will have the following:
Experience working with puppets, including in a performance setting.
Experience of working shows backstage and/or experience of working with others in a confined space under pressure (e.g. film work).
Proficiency and experience of working with a wide range of materials including wood, metal and plastic.
Working knowledge of basic puppet mechanics and/or animatronics.
A good understanding of workshop machines such as welding, saws, drills etc. as well as hand tools.
If that sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!
Download the Job Description here.
Please note
The closing date for the receipt of a completed application is Friday 24th May 2024 at 10:00am.
PLEASE NOTE: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early in the case of high numbers of applications received. We encourage you to apply in a timely fashion.
We support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our vacancies.
If you would like to speak to someone about any adjustments or have any questions you can email recruitment@nationaltheatre.org.uk and we will be in touch with you to make the necessary arrangements.
People Department 2024