Ian Douglas & The Magic Lantern

Ian has been telling stories professionally for over 20 years. He performs at schools, festivals and events across the UK. With a background in street theatre, Ian’s work is engaging and energetic. Ian performs with partner Jo, the lantern puppeteer; designing, making and performing with the beautiful and intricate shadow puppets.

Jo comes from a background of environmental education and nature connection. This feeds into her puppet work which has strong environmental themes.

About the work

Welcome to the Magic Lantern; a curious contraption that travels the land with its crew of storytellers, musicians and puppeteers - telling and collecting stories, lighting up woodlands, bringing laughter to doorsteps and creating Magic wherever it goes. The Magic Lantern is a purpose-built storytelling and shadow puppetry space developed with generous support from Arts Council England. The Magic Lantern was initially designed as a Covid response project to allow performers to create work which is both honest and beautiful, whether working inside the lantern or amongst its audience. Its screens work as positive devices to engage and immerse both audience and participants in the world of Story and Shadow. It is as magical on the inside as it is on the out.