MARK WHITAKER has been working as a puppeteer and mask performer since 1989 with companies
including Playboard Puppets, Norwich Puppet Theatre, Horse & Bamboo, Little Angel and Aardman
Animations.
He has worked in Mainland Europe, Canada, Brazil and Mexico and has toured extensively in the UK.
As well as performing, Mark works as a director and workshop leader. He also works with theatre companies
as a puppet movement consultant.
Current Productions
(Enquiries are always welcome about these and other productions in Mark's portfolio)
Moominland Midwinter
Waking early from his winter hibernation, Moomintroll sets off to explore a snowy Moominland, but the places which he knows so well in summer have all changed. He finds Too-Ticky and her invisible shrews living in his summer bathing house and Little My is wearing Moominmamma’s tea-cosy! Following a run-in with the Lady of the Cold and a certain forgetful Squirrel, Moomintroll is forced to make some very grown-up decisions… Heart-warming, humorous and spellbinding, this is a wondrous Christmas fantasy for all the family to enjoy together. This will be the first time ever that The Moomins have appeared on stage in the UK.
This 10 minute show features acrobats, martial arts, wild animals and a Festival Lion Dance.
Performed using traditional Chinese hand puppets. Suitable for all ages, indoors or outdoors.
“An official puppet clever thing!” Animations Online
Argos Aliens
Mark has been involved for some years now working with Chi and Partners and Smuggler and Asylum to create the
'Aliens' adverts for Argos. Here a just a few examples of the work that the team have been doing. Expect more from the
Argos Aliens in the future !
Christmas 2012 Shop from Here
Christmas 2012 Toy Exchange
Dickinson’s Real Deal
Tennants - I could murder a pint
Mark was one of the two puppeteers who worked on this commercial for Tennants lager. The advert
won the Peoples' Choice Award at the British Animation Awards in 2002.
Prometheus
In 2011 and 2012 Mark spent several weeks working on the aliens for the film Prometheus under the direction of Ridley
Scott as a 'Creature Operator'.
pages
A Chinese circus in miniature!
