Our story

Michael and Jamie met during a mime training in 2001 and quickly discovered a shared fascination with puppetry, rooted in their propensity to think with their hands and escape the everyday to imagined worlds. Their combined callings produced unique chemistry and a bubbling stew of creative possibilities. They did not yet appreciate this meeting would change their lives.

High above the bohemian Moseley Village in an attic workshop their ideas percolated during several years of experiments, aimed at reinventing the puppet and mask for contemporary audiences. Motivated by the idea of street theatre as a truly democratic, inclusive, and accessible experience, performed in the beating cultural and economic heart of our communities, the guys worked many long nights. Creature Encounters picture book world of characters began to emerge in 2004.

These were challenging years, convincing an ambivalent world that it required Creature Encounters services, a period of negotiating with gatekeepers, listening and refining. As the world teetered on the brink of financial collapse in 2008, demand began to grow and the company has never looked back. In the following decade, Creature Encounters became trusted regular suppliers to Centre Parks, Alnwick Gardens and Gatwick Airport, amongst many others across the UK and internationally.

Now beloved by audiences and trusted by bookers and with the support of their freelance community, the company deliver their fantastical beasts into a broad ecology of public and private functions, arts festivals, community events and international expos. Consistently performing over 200 dates and offering 300 freelance days per annum, making them one of the busiest and most successful outdoor arts companies in the UK. 

Jill Arbuckle joined the company in 2018 as Administrator and Tour Booker. She became the guy’s sword and shield, keeping the real-world practicalities at bay whilst they did the creative stuff, and on occasion, she helped with the creative stuff too! Jill remained with the company until the Covid pandemic of 2020 and its devastating effect on live events. In November 2020 Creature Encounters survival was assured by the Arts Councils Cultural Recovery Funding. Jill now works at Circus Mash.

The company continues to believe that a thriving street art scene is a key barometer and ambassador of the cultural health of a nation. That street arts lead communities to feel the environment in which they live and work is more than a collection of buildings, it is an immersive, interactive cultural experience. Where art enlivens the streets and brings an opulent cultural ambience, it is the symptom of a community that thrives rather than just survives, a place worth caring about. Such communities are desirable because they fore-fill our basic human needs for celebration, connection, variety and significance. 

The company has over fifteen years of experience within the industry so expect spectacular creatures, strong and dynamic characters and absolute professionalism. This is what they are here to do, this is how they make their dent in the universe.

Clients

BBC / The Royal Family / No 10 Downing Street / Ministry of Defence / Royal Opera House / Punch Drunk Theatrical Experiences / London Olympics 2012 / Gatwick Airport Airside 2016 -19 / The Golden Mask Festival 2018-19 (Russia) P2BK 2013 & 14 (Kuwait) / Sumarecon Mall (Indonesia) / City of Wings 2013 (Belgium) / Ce Plage à la fin du Monde (France) / Tallhin Celebration (Estonia) / Dubai Shopping Festival / Remal International Festival (Kuwait) / Flipside Festival (Singapore) / Monaco International Festival (Monaco) /  Festivalito (Spain) / Doha International Spring Festival / Festival of Fools (Belfast) / Golden Mask Festival (Russia) / Glastonbury Festival / Wilderness Festival / Freedom Festival, Hull / Greenbelt Festival / Cornbury Festival / Nottingham Riverside Festival / Presfest / Weee! Festival / The Big Splash / Witham Puppet Festival / Beverly Puppet Festival / Oldham Festival / May Day Parade, Ghent / Formula One Bahrain / HSBC / Royal Bank of Scotland / Fitch Ratings Ltd / Bloomberg / Facebook / BP / Westfield / E20 / Coca Cola / Pret / Nimans  / Alnwick Garden / Centre Parcs / Yorkshire Wildlife Park / Marwell Zoo / Oxford St Christmas Illuminations / Help for Heroes / HMS Excellent / RAF Northolt / And thousands of shopping centres, business improvement districts, festivals, and private parties....

Phew! Where haven't they been?