Button Moon and Beyond: Inside the World of Playboard Puppets

A World of Imagination Returns

This summer, something very special is coming to Rosehill.

Button Moon and Beyond: Inside the World of Playboard Puppets is a world-first exhibition, bringing together an extraordinary collection of puppets, stories and creative work from the much-loved Button Moon and the wider world of Playboard Puppets.

For many, Button Moon is more than a television programme. It’s a memory of a first glimpse into a world where everyday objects became characters, imagination leading the way. For many people, it was also the stage show responsible for introducing them to the theatre, including right here at Rosehill.

Now, you’re invited to step back into that world and explore what lies beyond.

More Than Button Moon

Alongside the familiar faces you remember, this exhibition opens up the full creative universe behind the work.

Discover the story of Button Moon creator Ian Allen and his creative partnership with master puppet maker, the late John Thirtle. Together, through Playboard Puppets, they helped shape children’s television, storytelling, and visual creativity for decades.

Explore iconic pieces, including:

• Large-scale puppets from the NatWest Piggy Bank adverts (1982)

• The unforgettable characters from the Robinsons Fruit adverts (1991)

• Creations from The Spooks of Bottle Bay

It’s a rare chance to see the craft, ingenuity and playful thinking behind work that has quietly shaped generations.

The Legacy of Button Moon

At its heart, Button Moon was beautifully simple.

Cardboard tubes became telescopes. Tin cans became spaceships. Everyday materials became entire worlds.

That spirit of making something from nothing feels more important than ever. In a time where we’re rethinking how we use materials and care for our environment, this exhibition offers a joyful reminder of creativity, reuse and imagination.

More info

Please note: Access to parts of the exhibition or building may be occasionally restricted due to other events taking place. Please check the Restricted Times tab below before visiting for full details.