Harry Whanslaw
Born1883
Died1965
Putney, London
Occupation(s)Puppeteer, author, illustrator
Years active1923–1965

Harry William "Whanny" Whanslaw (1883–1965) was a British author, illustrator and puppeteer who was best known for prompting the revival of puppetry in the United Kingdom in the 1920s.[1][2]

Life and career

Harry Whanslaw was born in 1883, in Putney, London. In 1923, he published his book Everybody's Theatre, which lead to the founding of The British Model Theatre Guild, which would later be renamed the British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild of which he was president.[3] He with fellow puppeteer Waldo Lanchester also founded the London Marionette Theatre in 1926.[1] In 1935, Whanslaw set up another puppet theatre, the Studio Marionette Theatre, in his house in London, where he put on regular performances along with students and friends. During World War II, he worked with young people and the homeless, creating puppets from bomb-damaged buildings.[4] During the 1950s he created puppets for children’s television, mainly Cactus the Camel,[5] who appeared in Telescope.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Harry William Whanslaw". World Encyclopedia of Puppetry Arts. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  2. "Harry W Whanslaw". www.theworldthroughwoodeneyes.co.uk. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  3. Dick, Alan (13 October 1953). "The pull of puppets". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 10 September 2022 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  4. Museum, Victoria and Albert. "Marionette of a Valet | Whanslaw, H. W. | V&A Explore The Collections". Victoria and Albert Museum: Explore the Collections. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  5. "Puppet Party (BBC Programme Index)". Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  6. "Telescope - Whirligig". Retrieved 28 August 2023.
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