Matt Smith is Reader in Applied Theatre and Puppetry at the University of Portsmouth, UK, prior to that having spent 20 years as a community artist. During this time, he worked with schools, youth groups, children in care, special needs groups, prisons, hospitals, environmental agencies and the homeless. He has published a number of journal articles on applied puppetry.
Matt Smith offers an insider’s guide to the world of applied puppetry – challenging us to think with and play with a world of objects. This is vital reading for all those interested in learning about the arts applied within communities or across different contemporary issues and concerns. * James Thompson, University of Manchester, UK * This is an eloquent, fascinating and timely book rooted in the author’s varied and exciting journey in Applied Puppetry and Object Performance, from eco junk-puppetry with children to innovative and difficult work with asylum seekers in HMP Haslar. Essential reading for anyone interested in the myriad possibilities of puppetry. * Dr Adam Strickson, Visiting Research Fellow & PhD tutor, School of PCI (Performance and Cultural Industries), University of Leeds, UK * Illuminates, explains and prosletyses … A textbook and tome for practitioners and for people who seek to move others with hand-sprung special care. * International Times *