Green Plaque for Little Angel Puppet Theatre founder
FOR 50 years, the Little Angel Puppet Theatre has delighted and thrilled children and adults alike.
On Saturday, its pioneering founder John Wright was honoured when an Islington People’s Plaque was unveiled on the building in Dogmar Passage, Angel.
Around 400 people gathered outside the theatre and spilled into the neighbouring churchyard to see children who are current members of the puppet club unveil the plaque, along with Mr Wright’s wife Lyndie, and children Sarah and Joe.
John Wright opened the theatre in 1961, converting a former temperance hall that had been bombed during the war and which he brought with his life savings.
Born in South Africa, he first travelled to England in 1935 and became an assistant stage manager for the Ballet Rambert, where he was inspired by a performance from Podrecca’s Piccoli, a famous puppet company of the day.
He died in 1991, but the theatre he founded is still going strong.
Lyndie described the day as “lovely and fantastic”.
“There were people there who had been connected with the theatre from when it started, as well as new people,” she said. “People were constantly tapping me on the shoulder saying they came when they were three, and brought their own children, and now their grandchildren.
“The whole afternoon was lovely.”
The plaque is one of five people’s plaques voted for by more than 3,000 residents. Later this year plaques will be unveiled to author Douglas Adams; Suffragette Edith Garrud and boat club pioneer, Crystal Hale.
Published: 15th July, 2011
by ANDREW JOHNSON