The Show
Meet Zee
Zee and the City was a high-energy celebration of youth, culture and community, delivered as one thrilling street adventure. Created especially for Bradford 2025 by Puppets with Guts, this vibrant blend of music, storytelling and awe-inspiring puppetry wound its way through the city centre before culminating in City Park as part of BD:Festival 2025.
At the heart of the show was Zee — a fearless, eco-warrior teenage girl, and a spectacular four-metre puppet, with dreams bigger than the city itself. She loves buzzing bees, custom cars and bold adventures, and invited crowds of all ages to join her on a joyful journey through the streets. Towering above everyone, Zee brought the city to life with energy, laughter and community spirit, filling each moment with her uplifting presence and a powerful call to make space for nature in our urban world.
Originally commissioned by Bradford 2025.
What Audiences Said
“We’re already missing Zee and her bees!” — Bradford 2025 follower
“A highlight of the festival.” — Festival audience member
“World-class puppetry – absolutely spectacular.” — Outdoor Arts UK
Zee’s Next Adventure – Zee’s Nature Highway
From cardboard cars to a giant green parade, this playful, eco-spirited show brings joy to families everywhere. Developed from Zee and the City, it’s a fresh new offering for audiences in 2026 and beyond.
Future Presentation Options:
Zee and the City – Hero Puppet “Zee”, Cardboard Car parade and 60-minute show
Zee’s Great Eco Convoy – Cardboard Car workshops with Road Trip Fun and mini parade (no Hero Puppet)
Zee’s Cardboard Car Garage – Cardboard Car workshops only
Themes:
Eco & Imagination • Family & Fun • Spectacle & Community
Photo Gallery
Build a car and join the show!
Drop in to Zee’s Cardboard Car Garage and create your very own custom cardboard car – we’ll provide the materials, you provide the imagination. Decorate, design and build your very own human powered cardboard car as unique as you are, then bring it back to join Zee’s epic city adventure.
Perfect for families, this playful craft based workshop is a chance to get hands-on with creativity, recycling and storytelling. (Under-18s: please bring a parent or guardian to keep you company behind the wheel.)
The Creative Team
Artistic Director, Original Concept – Ivan Thorley
Music Composer – Christella Litras
Poet – Kauser Mukhtar
Project Producer / General Manager – Sally Christopher
Dramaturge – Kully Thiarai
Puppetry Director – Sarah Calver
Puppeteers – Akash Heer, Ashton Owen, Bright Ong, Parkey Abeyratne, Amber Rose Perry, Bertie Harris, Julian Brett, Larissa Pinkham, Mima Beauchamp, Sonia Wrightson, Dan Armstrong
Production Manager – Steven Watling and Bradford City of Culture
Co-Producers – Bradford City of Culture and Puppets with Guts
Puppet Design – Nick Barnes Puppets
Puppet Design Associates – Caroline Bowman, Oli Simonon
Puppets made by Nick Barnes Puppets:
Lead Puppet Designers – Chelsey Lee, Oli Simonon
Lead Puppet Sculptor – Caroline Bowman
Puppetry Build Project coordination – Oli Simonon
Structural Assembly – Suzanne Law, Ivan Thorley
Puppet Makers – Holly Groves, Georgina Smith, Caz Hicks
Performance Objects Graphic Design – Georgina Smith and Molly Mural
Puppet Making Work Experience – Grace Handy, Joshua Glynn, Maria Liu
Cardboard Car Workshops – Alex Bennett and Madeleine O’Reilly
Community Cast Movement Director – Emma Longthorne
Writer Consultant – Hazel Gould & Writer Mentor – Alex Chisholm
With special thanks to
