THEATRE OF SPACES AND PLACES
Keeping the Art of Marionettes Alive
We are Vision Mechanics, and we love marionettes. For over 40 years, we’ve explored what puppetry can do — as storytelling, as theatre, as magic. But marionette puppetry is now at risk of disappearing altogether, becoming one of the UK’s forgotten craft skills. We don’t want to see that happen.
Vision Mechanics leads in encouraging communities to cooperate in the creation of original high quality arts projects. Events are staged all over the country in both conventional and site-specific environments with a strong emphasis on cross-artform collaborations.
Our Latest Project
“The Circus of Dreams”
We’re currently building The Circus of Dreams — a bold, beautiful new kind of marionette show inspired by the travelling circuses of the Edwardian and Victorian eras. But this is no museum piece: it’s a dream for the future. A reimagining. A completely original spectacle using exquisite hand-made puppets, visual storytelling, and installation theatre.
From the Circus… to the Solar Stage
As we build The Circus of Dreams, we’re also fundraising for its future home: the Solar Stage — a custom-designed, off-grid travelling theatre. Part show wagon, part peep show installation, part immersive venue, it will invite audiences into the hidden world of marionette performers. You’ll be able to watch miniature scenes, explore secret corners, and see the full hour-long finale: the story of how Winston Khan gave a group of performers the chance to create their own circus and realise their dreams.
It’s a metaphor for what we’re trying to do — offer this art form a future, and share the magic of marionettes with a whole new generation.
Watch Our 90-Second Updates
As the build unfolds, we’ll be sharing a series of 90-second behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube. These will give you a window into our world — the making, the stories, the challenges, and the joy.
Help Us Build the Solar Stage
We’re fundraising to create the Solar Stage — a one-of-a-kind, off-grid, mobile marionette theatre that brings magic to communities across Scotland and beyond. This hand-crafted, eye-catching stage will carry The Circus of Dreams to audiences everywhere — and keep the art of marionettes alive.
If you believe in bold, imaginative performance… if you love old skills and new ideas… if you want to support puppetry as a contemporary, powerful medium — please consider donating. Every gift helps.
LATEST NEWS
CALL OUT – Be part of the revival of Marionette Puppetry in Scotland
Vision Mechanics is at the start of an exciting journey to revive the enchanting art of marionette puppetry, a once flourishing craft that is in danger of becoming…
The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski – new Scottish dates
Vision Mechanics is delighted to announce further performances of The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski in March 2025. We are at An Crubh, Isle of Skye from…
Minnie Rubinski at the Findhorn Bay Festival
Vision Mechanics is delighted to be presenting The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski as part of the 2024 Findhorn Bay Festival. You can see the show and…
CREATIVE TEAM
Symon Macintyre
Artistic Director
Symon has a background in civil engineering, subsequently training in puppetry at Little Angel Theatre, London. For the past 35 years he has worked as a director, producer, performer and puppeteer, continually pushing the boundaries of conventional theatre and incorporating new technologies, to create bold, distinctive theatre events. He has created work for performance in living rooms, on city streets, on beaches, in back gardens, in forests and even in theatres.
Kim Bergsagel
Creative Director
Kim trained at Central St Martin’s College of Art & Design and at the Little Angel Theatre and is a performer, designer and maker. Kim’s unique and beautiful puppet designs have led to commissions from across the globe for theatre, film and television. Kim’s work for Vision Mechanics has ranged from designing and carving STORM, a 10 metre high sea goddess puppet, to creating exquisitely detailed micro marionettes for the Company’s current production, The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski.
CONTACT US
Get in touch with Vision Mechanics
Vision Mechanics is always keen to collaborate with talented individuals, partners and organisations. If you have a creative idea you would like to share with us with a view to a possible future collaboration or if you are a member of a community group and would like to look at the possibility of initiating an arts project, please get in touch. All suggestions will of course be treated as confidential.
Vision Mechanics Ltd is a registered charity in Scotland SCO23585
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