THE director of a puppet theatre in Rhos-on-Sea has died. 

Christopher Somerville, who ran the Harlequin Puppet Theatre, Britain's first permanent puppet theatre, was in his eighties. 

Mr Somerville was a puppeteer and integral part of the Harlequin since it’s opening by Eric Bramall in 1958.

The theatre posted on social media: "We are saddened to announce the death of the Harlequin Puppet Theatre’s director Christopher Somerville.

"Chris had been a puppeteer and integral part of the Harlequin since it’s opening by Eric Bramall in 1958. Throughout that time he performed countless shows, both at the theatre and on TV, worked independently as a cabaret performer with puppets and magic and entertained thousands of children with his Punch and Judy as Mr BimBamBoozle.

"Since the death of Eric in 1996 he worked tirelessly to ensure the theatre continued; performing all shows, as well as every other element of theatre life, on his own - an achievement he was very proud of."

In October 2020, the Pioneer reported the theatre was facing "permanent closure" following the pandemic. This was due to no money coming in; the theatre was funded by ticket sales together with fees from other puppetry work carried out by Mr Bramall and Mr Somerville.

In 2017, the theatre was hit by an arson attack which resulted in a six-month closure. 

During an interview with the Pioneer in 2020, Mr Somerville described the Harlequin Puppet Theatre as "his whole life".

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He said in 2020: "The Harlequin is my playground, my office, it’s my everything. I first got involved when I was on disembarkment leave from National Service and it got to the point where I would spend everyday at the theatre from there on out.

“I became very good friends with Eric and we’d do countless shows featuring thousands of puppets in the Llandudno and Colwyn bay areas, among others."

Mr Somerville's funeral will take place on Friday, February 24 at 2pm at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Colwyn Bay (LL29 7LG).

Family flowers only. Donations can be made to Hope House Children’s Hospice.