Different Types of Marionette Controllers

The Most Common Marionette Controllers

These three controllers are some of the most versatile options in our collection. They range from simple controllers for smaller puppets to larger designs intended for more advanced manipulation and complex movement.

The Classic Wire Controller - Simple and Versatile

Classic Wire Controller – 40 cm

This is a great all-round controller for smaller marionettes and a particularly good choice if you're just getting started. It is available with a 40 cm or 60 cm wire, depending on how much distance you would like between your hand and the puppet.

The wire provides extra stability and makes the controller comfortable to handle. It includes the basic strings for arm movement and walking, giving you everything you need for the fundamental marionette movements without making the manipulation unnecessarily complicated.

This is also the type of controller we use with our Animáček DIY marionette kit, making it a lovely introduction to controlling a puppet.

Best for: smaller puppets, beginners, basic walking and arm movements.

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The Expressive Controller - More Strings, More Movement

Bigger Controller – 18 or 23 cm

Looking for more control and a little more personality in your puppet's movements? This controller gives you considerably more possibilities.

It comes in two sizes - 18 cm and 23 cm - and is well suited for larger marionettes. Unlike the wire controller, it does not have a wire; instead, the puppet is attached to the controller only with its strings.

Alongside the basic controls for walking and moving the arms, it has additional strings that allow you to manipulate the head and body. You can bend the puppet at the waist, tilt its body from side to side, move its head and create much more expressive poses.

The extra controls take a little more practice, but they also allow your puppet to develop a much more natural and theatrical range of movement.

Best for: medium and larger puppets, expressive manipulation, and puppeteers who want more control over the body and head.

The Great Controller - Maximum Control

Great Marionette Controller – DIY Kit

This is our largest and most elaborate controller, designed for larger puppets and for those who want to explore more advanced marionette manipulation.

It comes as a DIY kit, which you assemble yourself at home. Don't worry - putting it together takes around 15 minutes and doesn't require any special skills or tools.

Once assembled, the Great Controller gives you additional points of control for the puppet's body and arms, allowing for more complex and varied movements. It is particularly useful for larger marionettes, where having more control over different parts of the body can make a big difference.

Think of it as the controller for when you want your puppet to do more than simply walk and wave — more strings, more control, and more possibilities.

You can also find this controller in our ANY kit, supporting the biggest DIY puppet that we offer.

Best for: large marionettes, experienced puppeteers, and complex or highly expressive movements.

Other Marionette Controllers

Not every marionette is designed to walk across a stage in the same way. Some are made for dancing, some for expressive poses, and some simply need a very simple controller. Here are some of our more specialised options.

The Horizontal Controller - Made for Dancing

Horizontal Controller for Dancing Marionettes

A dancing marionette needs a different kind of freedom. Instead of focusing primarily on walking, this horizontal controller is designed to give the puppet a more fluid, playful range of movement.

It is particularly well suited to dancing marionettes, allowing you to move the puppet through flowing gestures, turns and expressive poses. The manipulation feels less structured than with a traditional walking controller, making it ideal for performers who want their puppet to feel light and lively.

We use this type of controller for our Baby Bonnie, whose whole character is built around movement and playfulness.

Best for: dancing marionettes, fluid movement, expressive gestures and playful performances.

There is also a larger version with an additional control for the head, giving you even more possibilities for expressive dancing and posing: Horizontal Controller with Additional Head Movement.

The Hand-Carved Controller by Mr. Slavík - A Little Work of Art

Hand-Carved Marionette Controller

Some controllers are purely functional. This one is beautiful in its own right.

Hand-carved by our artist Mr. Slavík, this elegant 18 cm controller is carefully shaped and stained to give the wood a rich, warm colour. It includes a walking mechanism and can accommodate up to nine strings, giving you plenty of control while retaining a beautifully traditional appearance.

It is designed for small to medium-sized puppets of around 30 cm, making it a lovely choice when you want something both practical and handcrafted.

Best for: smaller and medium-sized puppets, traditional aesthetics, and anyone who appreciates beautifully crafted tools.

The Simple Cross - Minimal and Straightforward

Simple Cross Controller

Sometimes, simple is exactly what you need.

Our Simple Cross is the smallest and most basic controller we offer. It is essentially a simple wooden cross with attachments for the puppet's arms and legs, allowing for the most fundamental movements.

It doesn't offer the range of control of our more elaborate controllers, but that's also its charm: it's straightforward, lightweight and easy to understand. It also has a handy hook for hanging your marionette when you're not playing with it.

Best for: very simple puppets, beginners, basic movement, or anyone looking for a minimal controller.

So, Which Controller Should You Choose?

The best controller depends mainly on your puppet and the kind of movement you want to achieve.

If you have a small puppet and want simple walking and arm movements, the classic wire controller is a great place to start. For a larger puppet with more expressive movement, the 18 or 23 cm operating device gives you additional control over the head and body.

If you're working with a large puppet and want the greatest range of movement, the Great Controller offers even more possibilities. And if your puppet is a dancer, a horizontal controller will give you the freedom and fluidity that a traditional walking controller can't quite provide.

And if you're not sure which one is right for your marionette, just ask us! We know our puppets and controllers well and will be happy to help you find the right match based on the size of your puppet and the kind of movement you'd like to achieve.