Flying with Strings
Marionette Theatre 

History of the Company

Flying with Strings MT was founded in 2020 when Sarah was awarded a DYCP grant by Arts Council England. This funded the development of her marionette making and culminated in the creation of three bird marionettes that now feature in her first show (of the same name). The puppets were exhibited later that year at MAKE Southwest’s annual members exhibition, where they were awarded the President’s Prize by sculptor Peter Randall Page RA.

A film of Flying with Strings was commissioned by MAKE Southwest for their 2021 puppetry exhibition Art,Craft and Imagination: a Peep into the World of Puppets (curated by John Roberts). A second film was commissioned and produced by Villages in Action in 2023 as part of their Active Care Homes through the Arts project.

The live show of Flying with Strings has toured to a diverse range of settings including puppetry festivals in Beverley, Newcastle and Smethwick. In 2024 Flying with Strings partnered with Libraries Unlimited and began delivering their work to libraries in Devon, including craft workshops for families. Their new show The Treetop Circus is on tour from 2025.

Artist Biographies

Sarah Vigars - Puppet maker / Puppeteer
Sarah is a puppet maker and puppeteer with a specialism in marionette making. Her work combines traditional woodcarving practices with current innovations in design. She makes puppets for small-scale theatre, street theatre and participatory projects. In 2023 marionette making was added to the Heritage Crafts Association’s ‘Red List of Endangered Crafts'. Sarah is proud to be one of Britain’s few remaining marionette makers and operators.

Louis Bingham - Composer / Musician
Louis is a musician specialising in fretted string instruments such as cittern, tambura and bouzouki. His music takes in elements from the Celtic fringes of Europe, from Scandinavia, the Mediterranean and North Africa. Louis works as an instrumental teacher and workshop leader, and in a number of social care settings, primarily through the music outreach charity Live Music Now and the Memory Cafe network.

The Treetop Circus - Audience feedback

Paignton Library, Feb 2026:

“This is such a beautiful show.”
“It’s very special, very special.”
“I’ve never seen anything like this before, isn’t it wonderful?”
“What a magical show!”
“My son is there at the front in yellow. He’s absolutely captivated so am I”
“I can’t quite believe this is here in the library, they are such community hubs.”
“That was magic, absolutely beautiful. You don’t really see anything like it at all.”
“That was wonderful. Thank you so much.”
“It was really good. My son doesn’t usually sit to watch things but he sat and watched that.”
“Thank you for such an authentic, charming enchanting magical beautiful crafted show.”

The Treetop Circus - Archive of Events

For dates of UPCOMING SHOWS visit the events page

2026

Paignton Library | Saturday 7th February
Family performances of ‘The Treetop Circus’. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

2025

Farway Primary School | Friday 26th September
Schools performances of ‘The Treetop Circus’. Produced by Villages in Action (Devon)

Offwell Primary School | Tuesday 23rd September
Schools performances of ‘The Treetop Circus’. Produced by Villages in Action (Devon)

Wolborough Primary School | Monday 22nd September
Schools performances of ‘The Treetop Circus’. Produced by Villages in Action (Devon)

Buckfastleigh Library (Town Hall) | Saturday 30th August
Family performance of ‘The Treetop Circus’, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

RHS Rosemoor | Friday 29th August
Family performances of ‘The Treetop Circus’. Produced by RHS Rosemoor (Devon)

Princetown Library | Friday 1st August, 2pm-3.30pm
Family performance of ‘The Treetop Circus’, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

Tavistock Library | Friday 1st August, 10am-11.30am
Family performance of ‘The Treetop Circus’, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

Chagford Library | Thursday 31st July, 10.30am-12pm
Family performance of ‘The Treetop Circus’, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

Flying with Strings
Touring since 2021 

For dates of UPCOMING SHOWS visit the events page

Flying with Strings is a theatre collaboration between puppeteer Sarah Vigars and musician Louis Bingham, ready to pitch up and perform anywhere from green spaces to street corners, libraries and arts centres.

Inspired by the avian world of Britain, Europe and beyond, this interactive show features intricate string puppetry and live music. See the puppets in action and learn about the world of birds, including the graceful swallow, the charismatic hoopoe and the colourful bee-eater!

Flying with Strings are currently working in partnership with Libraries Unlimited, delivering our shows to libraries in Devon, accompanied by a craft workshop for families.

Show title: Flying with Strings
Company name: Flying with Strings MT
Puppet maker/Puppeteer: Sarah Vigars
Composer/Musician: Louis Bingham
Run time: 30min (+ 45min craft workshop)
Age suitability: All ages
Access: Our relaxed style of delivery is adaptable for audiences with neurodivergent needs or SEND
Tech requirements: Sound equipment provided. A warm lighting wash is sometimes required for indoors.
Playing space: 2.5m wide x 1.5m deep (approx)

For booking inquiries and prices, please contact Sarah: sarah@sarahvigarsart.com

Flying with Strings - Archive of Events

For dates of UPCOMING SHOWS visit the events page

2025

Exeter Quayside | August 2025
Family performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Exeter Canal & Quay Trust

MAKE Southwest | August 2025
Marionette demo and family puppet making workshop by Sarah Vigars. Produced by MAKE Southwest, Bovey Tracey.

Folk by the Oak Festival | July 2025
Outdoor walkabout performances by Sarah Vigars. Produced by JSL Productions

Totnes Fringe Festival | July 2025
Family performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham. Produced by Respect Festival for Totnes Fringe Festival

Makers Showcase Exhibition at MAKE Southwest | June-August 2025
A showcase of work by Sarah Vigars at MAKE Southwest, Bovey Tracey.

Craft Festival, Bovey Tracy | June 2025
Talk and demonstration by Sarah Vigars in the Endangered Crafts tent, hosted by the Heritage Crafts Association

RHS Rosemoor | April 2025
Family performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham. Produced by RHS

Smethwick Puppetry Festival | February 2025
Family performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Black Country Touring

Uffculme Library | February 2025
Family performance of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

2024

South Molton Library | August 2024
Family performance of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

Ilfracombe Library | August 2024
Family performance of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

Axminster Library | August 2024
Family performance of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

Folk by the Oak Festival | July 2024
Outdoor family performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham. Produced by JSL Productions

Cullompton Library | May 2024
Family performance of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

RHS Rosemoor | May 2024
Family performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham. Produced by RHS

RHS Rosemoor | April 2024
Outdoor walkabout performances by Sarah Vigars. Produced by RHS

Newcastle Puppetry Festival | April 2024
Outdoor and indoor family performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham. Produced by Moving Parts Arts (Newcastle)

Teignmouth Library | February 2024
Family performance of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham, accompanied by a craft workshop. Produced by Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

2023

A Celebration of the Craft of Marionette Making | September 2023
Sarah was invited to appear as a demonstrator at an event hosted by the Art Worker’s Guild (London). The event celebrated marionette making, including a panel discussion between industry experts about the future of the craft. Marionette making has recently been added to the Heritage Crafts Association’s ‘Red List of Endangered Crafts’.

‘Flying with Strings’ Puppet Film | June 2023
Commissioned by Villages in Action (Devon) for their ‘Active Care Homes through the Arts’ project. Performed by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham and produced by Luke Jeffery (VIA)
DOP by Adam Michael and sound by Benjamin Akira Tallamy.

2022

Newton Abbot Library | September 2022
Outdoor family performance of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham. Produced by Villages in Action (Devon)

Totnes Festival | August 2022
Outdoor family performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham. Produced by Totnes Arts Events (Devon)

Beverley Puppet Festival | July 2022
Outdoor family performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham. Produced by Beverley Puppet Festival

2021

Exeter Phoenix | October 2021
Family performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham. Produced by Exeter Phoenix

Curious Puppet Showcase at the Kneehigh Barns, Gorran Haven | October 2021
Preview performances of ‘Flying with Strings’ by Sarah Vigars and Louis Bingham to feedback from puppeteers

Your Voice: An Exhibition | July-August 2021
The marionettes from ‘Flying with Strings’ were exhibited at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Wales

Art, Craft And Imagination: a peep into the world of puppets | January-May 2021
The marionettes from ‘Flying with Strings’ were exhibited at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey, Devon

‘Flying with Strings’ Puppet Film | March 2021
Commissioned by The Devon Guild of Craftsmen (Bovey Tracey) with a grant from the Golsoncott Foundation (Exeter)
The film was screened at the Devon Guild’s puppetry exhibition ‘Art Craft and Imagination’ (above)

2020

Devon Guild Of Craftsmen Annual Member’s Show | September-November 2020
The marionettes from ‘Flying with Strings’ were exhibited at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey, Devon The puppets were awarded the annual President’s Prize by sculptor Peter Randall Page RA

 Flying with Strings
The Film

Flying with Strings the film was commissioned by MAKE Southwest (formerly the Devon Guild of Craftsmen) for their 2021 puppetry exhibition Art,Craft and Imagination: a Peep into the World of Puppets (curated by John Roberts).

The film of Flying with Strings can be viewed in 4 parts as shown below. It is also available on Sarah and Louis’s social media channels. This project was made possible thanks to a grant awarded to MAKE Southwest by the Golsoncott Foundation.

A second film of Flying with Strings was commissioned and produced by Villages in Action in 2023 as part of their Active Care Homes Through the Arts project. This film has been included on a menu of film content for distribution in UK care homes.