Rural arts organisation Arts Alive will be offering fun-packed family entertainment when it takes part in the Dynamics Puppet Festival during June.

Visiting from Germany, Theater Laku Paka retell the story of Peter and the Wolf, told from the Wolf’s point of view, and unfolds through storytelling in English and through the familiar score by Prokofiev which accompanies the story throughout.

This striking shadow theatre in stark black and white with splashes of bright colour offers a chance to see shadow theatre fulfilling its potential.

Peter and the Wolf is a skilfully crafted show that is charming and humorous and appeals across age ranges from 4 years+ and can be seen at Clun Memorial Hall (01588 640229) on Wednesday June 3rd at 4.15pm.

Thater Laku Paka then travels to Chirbury Village Hall (01588 620887) with Alfred in the Hay and in the Way on Saturday 6th June starting at 4pm.

Alfred is a strange bird – he’s got the power and size of an eagle but he lives in the hen-house with the chickens! The other birds are unkind to him because he is not like them, except for Rosi who likes him just the way he is!

Alfred is an entertaining and amusing show for younger audiences and families, performed in English, with the traditional Ugly Duckling moral.

It features a truly clever hen-house constructed of chicken boxes that regularly shift their arrangement to make a differently shaped hen-house.

Objects Dart offers charming story-telling full of fun and magic, using ‘instant puppetry’ – everyday objects being transformed into characters and scenery before your eyes – alongside some surprising shadow play.

It’s amazing what emerges from the puppeteer’s shopping trolley – wool, knitting needles, scissors, bobbins and all kinds of bits and pieces – to help him tell the story of the little girl with the red cape and cap who meets a granny-eating wolf in the woods!

This version of Little Red Riding Hood is a performance suitable for younger audiences – despite the wolf it’s really not scary – with plenty of humour and opportunities to join in singing some familiar songs.

Join in the fun at Snailbeach Village Hall (01743 791327) on Friday 12th June at 6pm.

Objects Dart also explores the fascination children have with everyday objects being transformed into characters and settings to tell the story of Ivan the Ninny, who sets sail across the sea to see what he can see.

Based on a traditional Russian tale, the story explores the importance of salt in a narrative packed with weird and wonderful characters.

Through clever use of the contents of a picnic hamper, Objects Dart creates boats, sailors, fish, cities and Tzars, whilst a twirling umbrella becomes the rolling sea!

Taking place at Kinton Farm, Nesscliffe on Sunday 14th June at 3pm tickets should be booked on 01939 261235.

The creativity of these performances is sure to be an inspiration to young and old, so start collecting those washing up bottles and bits of string and you’ll soon be making your own puppet shows!

For more information visit the Arts Alive website at www.artsalive.co.uk or the Dymanics website at www.dynamicsfestival.com