Banyan is an established touring theatre company and was formed in 1993 by partners Joy Haynes and Karen Torley.
The company specialises in producing quality theatre for the first audiences,
using a dynamic blend of storytelling, puppetry and original music.

Drawing from the richness of fairy tales and folklore, we have developed a unique style exploring the use
of everyday objects and easily accessible materials to encourage the imagination and creativity of the very young.




 




Karen's love of Puppet Theatre began at an early age. In 1986 she joined her puppet making family 'The International Purves Puppets' as a puppeteer, touring large scale ultra violet shows Internationally. Karen then moved to 'Norwich Puppet Theatre' in 89' working as a puppet maker and designer as well as performing. It was during this time that karen's dedication to creating high quality, imagnative Puppet Theatre for young children began to flourish. Developing her own unique style Karen produced and performed some of NPT's most sucsessful shows.

Since setting up 'Banyan' Karen has worked as a free lance director/designer for many other companies, such as the Highly acclaimed 'Little Angel Theatre' London. Teaching puppetry to drama students , Directing short films and working as an arts facillitator continue to expand her work.

Having a passion for live music Karen has collaborated with many musicians taking puppetry to alternative adult audiences as well as it being an integral part of her work with children.

Now based in N.Ireland, Karen continues to develop and expand her skills, and produce creative theatre and is commited to keeping the art of puppetry alive and exciting!

Joy's passion for puppet theatre began on leaving university and joining Puppets and People Theatre Collective in Newcastle upon Tyne .

In 1993 she set up her own company Banyan Theatre designing, creating and performing innovative puppet theatre for young audiences and their families. . Banyan's tours have taken them all over the British Isles and abroad.

Over the last 18 years Joy has worked with many of this country's leading puppet theatre practitioners and since 2000 has been invited to direct for companies such as Tam Tam Theatre, Ripstop Productions and Garlic Theatre. She recently designed and directed Sleeping Beauty in the Wood for The Little Angel Theatre, which won Time Out's critics choice.

Joy has also earned a reputation as an educator having initiated and devised two unique City & Guilds courses in puppet theatre and performance for Norfolk Adult Education in collaboration with Norwich Puppet Theatre. She also teaches regularly at Norwich School of Art and Design and Central School of Speech and Drama.

Joy is a member on the panel for The Puppet Centre Trust Professional Development Bursary Scheme.