First-ever Puppet Company window display highlights joy of puppets for six magical summer weeks.
The Puppet Company is taking centre stage at Hamleys Regent Street this summer with its first-ever dedicated window display, celebrating 25 years of puppets, imaginative play and family fun. Running from now to 21 July, the installation transforms one of the world-famous Hamleys windows into a magical puppet-filled summer scene for visitors to discover in the heart of London.
From now to 21 July it will have its very own display in Window One of the shop’s four main window sections, celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary in one of the most famous toy stores in the world.
The display, entitled 25 Years of Fun!, features puppets from The Puppet Company in a magical, summery funfair scene, at the centre of which puppets play on an enchanting moving Ferris wheel with puppets in the seats, while a hot air balloon floats in the background.
The display will also be a wonderful reminder of the long-standing relationship between Hamleys and The Puppet Company. There’s even a replica of the iconic and much-loved Hamleys Puppet Theatre, which runs puppet shows using The Puppet Company’s puppets. The replica theatre also includes special moving puppets to create more magic and even more fun for everyone!
The Hamleys Puppet Theatre, one of the most popular family attractions within the Regent Street store, hosts daily puppet performances throughout the year and welcomes visitors from across the UK and around the world.
All the puppets showcased in the Window One display can also be found in the large area of the ground floor devoted to The Puppet Company, centred around the Puppet Theatre and loved by children and adults alike.
The display is a combined effort, bringing together Hamleys’ highly experienced team with The Puppet Company’s founders the Lockey family and its own talented team to produce a window that brings to life The Puppet Company’s mission to bring fun to everyone, expressed through its founding motto “Have a puppet – have fun!”
William Hamley opened his toyshop in London 1760. The signature building in Regent Street, London opened in 1881 to cope with demand. Today the shop, at 188-196 Regent Street, is known throughout the world for its seven wondrous floors of all the best toys and games. Hamleys as a global brand is currently trading across 13 countries with 175 stores.
Keane Herman, Head of UK Retail Trading at Hamleys, says: “This display is perfect for the carefree summer months. We’re delighted to be working with our friends at The Puppet Company on this marvellous project – especially as they celebrate 25 years of bringing puppets – and fun – to children and adults across the globe.”
Sue Lockey, Owner & Co-Founder, The Puppet Company, says: “Like many other families, we have fond memories of the whole family visiting Hamleys over the years. Being a regular supplier to the famous shop and helping with its puppet shows has been a wonderful experience – but being in the window is a dream come true. It’s something that my husband and our late co-founder Peter Lockey would have absolutely loved: bringing the magic of our puppets to life!”
Alice Milner-Watt, Head of Brand, Andersen Press, which publishes Elmer’s adventures, says: “We’re thrilled that Elmer will feature in the wonderful Hamleys window display. It’s a fantastic celebration of imagination, storytelling and the joy of bringing stories to life with puppets and play.” The display will be visible to the millions of visitors who pass through Regent Street each year and forms part of Hamleys programme of immersive in-store experiences, bringing together toys, entertainment and family fun in the heart of London’s West End.
