Leas Lift to Come Alive in Puppet Performance
Folkestone Leas Lift is set to come alive in a performance that combines interactive puppetry, storytelling and live music.
Folkestone Puppets has been appointed by the charity to deliver ‘Lifting Stories’ – a touring performance that will see the lift become a living entity, taking the form of a puppet character that comes alive and tells its own story.
The lift will also tell stories of the people it carries, those who built it and those worked there – all of which will be based on the real stories of the people of Folkestone.
Floortje Hoette, Chief Executive Officer of the Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity, said: “As we work towards reopening the lift in 2025, it’s very important to bring the community on the journey with us. We want both children and adults to be able to connect with the history of Leas Lift so that they understand its significance in the development of Folkestone.
“As well as touring local schools, community groups and care homes during the Autumn, we also plan to have public performances. We’re very grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund as their support enables us to have this level of engagement.”
Founded in 2017 by Andre Verissimo, Folkestone Puppets aims to develop and deliver puppet and visual theatre that entertains, inspires and challenges audiences. Creative director and puppeteer Verissimo has brought together a team of local collaborators to develop and deliver ‘Lifting Stories’.
Andre Verissimo said: “We are really excited to be creating a performance that tells the story of the Leas lift in Folkestone. As a team of local artists, we feel deeply connected to the lift and its role in the town’s history and collective memory. We want to bring this history to life through the magic of puppets, storytelling and music.”
The campaign to save the Grade II* listed Leas Lift – a nationally significant structure – began in 2018 when volunteers came together to save the lift and ensure its future. In November 2023, the Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity secured £4.8m of support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, meaning the overall fundraising target of £6.6m had been reached.
Work is due to start on start this summer, following the appointment of a contractor.
For more information on the history of the Leas Lift and the campaign to reopen it, visit leaslift.co.uk.
