Jim Henson Retrospectacle

Overview

Wellington is set to host to a world-first, three-week-long Jim Henson Retrospectacle that will descend on the city in April.

The 21-day showcase of events will pay tribute to the genius behind one of the world's most creative and prolific puppetry artists, Jim Henson, and most of the much-loved characters from Sesame Street, The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock will be in the city for 21 days of unique events.

You can relive your favourite Muppets on-screen moments with a film fortnight, workshops and masterclasses with visiting puppeteers from Sesame Street and The Muppets, and wrap up with a special NZSO concert featuring Oscar-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie — with special appearances by some of Jim Henson's much-loved characters.

The Embassy will be screening rare footage from the depths of the Henson archives, experimental short films and commercials, classic feature films, and a New Zealand premiere to be announced next week. International guests will introduce a number of the screenings.

Te Papa will host Behind the Seams panels, workshops and masterclasses by Henson alumni including Bonnie Erickson, puppet designer (she created Miss Piggy and Statler and Waldorf), many Sesame Street puppeteers and veteran Muppet performer Dave Goelz who has brought to life iconic characters for four decades. There'll also be Weta Workshop artists on hand.

The events offer an unparalleled look into the creative mind of the late Jim Henson — you can check out his brilliant early works (he was given his first puppetry television show at age 18), his life, partnerships and artful inspirations, and see how he's influenced our own creative community here in Aotearoa. This is huge.