top of page
STEPHEN LOVE
ACTOR PUPPETEER / THEATRE MAKER
'Warhorse' (The National Theare)
Puppet making at Nick Barnes
Doctor Who (BBC/Bad Wolf)
Firearms training with Bare Arms
Motion Capture Shoot at CCIXR
Backstage 'A Ghost in Your Ear'
Stephen is an actor, puppeteer, creature artist, and theatre maker based in the UK. He has over ten years experience in theatre, film, TV, and outdoor arts.
He is an alumnus of East 15 Acting School and The University of Winchester, and has undertaken further specialist training with Bare Arms Theatrical Firearms, Mocap Vaults, and Performance Capture Academy. He is represented by Sam at Carey Dodd Associates.
In 2025, Stephen founded Animate Puppet Co, an emerging theatre company in Winchester. As Artistic Director, Stephen's aim is to establish Animate as one of the most exciting new companies in Hampshire. In 2026, Animate received substantial funding from various bodies, including Arts Council England, for multiple projects across the South.
At 'Chicago Tardis' as a panellist
Digi-leg stilt walking practice
Facilitating a puppetry workshop
.jpg)
Stephen inside Stonehenge
'Walk of the Dandelion' (LBC)
Doctor Who (BBC)
Stephen's work in theatre has seen him perform at some of the UK's most recognised venues including: The National Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Southampton's Mayflower, The Lowry, and Hampstead Theatre.
On screen, Stephen has worked with several major studios such as Netflix, Amazon, BBC, Bad Wolf, and Left Bank Productions, in both puppetry and creature performer capacities.
He has a special love for outdoor work and has collaborated on various projects such as: Hi!Street Fest (Emergency Exit Arts), Walk of the Dandelions (Luke Brown Company), and Gnomus (Puppets with Guts).
THEATRE
A Ghost In Your Ear (Hampstead Theatre/HFH Productions)
2026
"A meticulous and artfully conceived blend of storytelling, technology and actorly skill"
★★★★ The Standard
"Truly terrifying headphone horror. Sleekly executed and excellently acted"
★★★★ The Guardian
"Expertly atmospheric, a slick jump-scaring masterclass"
★★★★ The Stage
"Redefines how we experience theatre"
★★★★ Theatre Weekly
AGIYE official image featuring George Blagden
Warhorse UK Tour (National Theatre)
2017 - 2019
The Global phenomenon based on Michal Monpurgo's beloved novel, Warhorse is a timeless story of love, courage, and friendship.
At the outbreak of the First World War, young Albert's beloved horse Joey is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France.
Albert embarks on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of wartime France - determined to bring Joey home.
"Still one of British theatre’s most phenomenal creations" ★★★★★ The Guardian
Stephen & Topthorn during Warhorse rehearsals
Collegiate (Bread & Roses Theatre/Attenborough Arts)
2016 - 2017
Collegiate debuted at The Bread & Roses Theatre in 2016. Following a successful run at the B&R Fringe, Collegiate transferred to Attenborough Arts in Leicester in 2017.
"Rebecca Tubridy as Tash and Stephen Love as Kev are both smooth and skilled in changing from one character to the next... they attack the script with fervour, showcasing two thoroughly diligent actors" ★★★★ A Younger Theatre
"A fast-moving script and excellent acting... both actors convincingly portrayed the dilemmas of their characters" ★★★★ Everybody's Reviewing
Collegiate, Attenborough Arts
SCREEN
Doctor Who, Season 2 Episode 1 (BBC/Bad Wolf), 'The Robot Revolution' - Robot 1
2025
'The Star Beast' Wrarth Warriors. Fellow creature acor Robert Strange (L) with Stephen (R)
Deer puppet used during 'The Great' hunt scenes
Doctor Who, 60th Anniversary Special (BBC/Bad Wolf), 'The Star Beast' - Constable Zreeg
2024
Behind Her Eyes (Netflix/Left Bank Productions), Season 1 - puppeteer/puppetry co-ordinator
2019
Stephen joined the Netflix series Behind Her Eyes as puppetry coordinator to assist in creating an 'astral projection' effect using puppetry. Stephen worked closely with SFX company AGOG and VFX company Goodbye Kansas Studios. Stephen led the team of puppeteers and performed himself.
The Great (Hulu), Season 1 - puppeteer
2019
The Peripheral (Amazon Prime TV), Season 1 - puppeteer (R&D)
2019
OUTDOOR
Walk of the Dandelion Tour (Luke Brown Company) - puppeteer
2025 - ongoing
Walk of the Dandelion is a heart-warming project created by Luke Brown Company.
Beautifully crafted 8-foot puppet Daniel, an ethereal and ancient man of the earth, walks with audiences, sharing moments of delight, contemplation, and fun. This piece aims to spread joy and foster connection among people of all ages.
Walk of the Dandelion premiered in 2025 to wide spread praise and is currently on a 2026 UK tour. To learn more about Daniel, visit the Luke Brown Company website here.
Daniel - Walk of the Dandelion
Bella (Animate Puppet Co CIC) - Puppetry Director
2025 - ongoing
Bella is Animate Puppet Co's debut outdoor production.
Meet Bella, a beautiful Asian elephant, and her human companion Kyra as they embark on a heartfelt search for Bella’s herd. As they travel, Bella and Kyra discover the true meaning of community and learn how we can all care for one another — no matter what our species. Brought to life by three highly skilled puppeteers, Bella is a theatrical experience that bridges the magic of imagination with real-world themes. Told in three stand-alone sections, you can join for all or part of their journey
Stephen is the Artistic Director of Animate Puppet Co. To learn more, visit the Animate website here.
Bella - Animate Puppet Co
Gnomus (Puppets with Guts - Stonehenge performance) - puppeteer
2022
Hi! Street Fest (Emergency Exit Arts & Historic England) - puppeteer
2023
Hi! Street Fest was Historic England's largest commission as part of the High Streets Action Zone Programme, a four year programme to revitalise more than 60 high streets. Across the country, Hi! Street Fest engaged with more than 60,000 people in the summer of 2023, all coming together for a series of community led street parties. In collaboration Thingumajig Theatre.
Gnomus at Stonehenge - Puppets with Guts
ANIMATE
Stephen is the Artistic Director of Animate Puppet Co - an emerging puppetry theatre company based in Winchester that creates striking theatrical experiences. Our extensive puppetry workshop programme ensures accessibility for all ages. Animate is a registered CIC.
LATEST NEWS
Shadow Puppetry R&D (The Leaves)
Animate recently hosted a 3-day shadow puppetry R&D exploring lighting and colour, scale, and various storytelling techniques for a project called 'The Leaves'.
This project was supported by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and additional funding from Four Lanes Trust.
s part of this R&D, Animate hosted a 'Make Your Own Shadow Puppet Box' workshop and presented a free-to-attend showing of the work created.
KS2 Puppetry & Wellbeing Project (Arts Council Funded)
Animate was recently awarded £24,600.00 from Arts Council England to tour a brand new KS2 workshop programme that focuses on wellbeing.
These workshops offer a hands-on introduction to puppetry as a tool for expression and connection - bringing high quality creative experiences directly into schools across Hampshire.
Animate is hosting 28 workshops in various schools between May and December '26.
To learn more about Animate, click here to visit our website.
WORKSHOPS
Stephen is an experienced theatre & puppetry workshop facilitator with an advanced DBS. He has collaborated with companies such as Bearface Theatre, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, The University of Winchester, Theatre Royal Winchester, and Hampshire Cultural Trust. If you’d like to talk to Stephen about hosting a workshop, contact him here.
CONTACT
There are several ways to contact Stephen. Check below to see which email address best suits your enquiry.
Performance Enquires
Agent: Sam Dodd
Email: samantha@careydoddassociates.com
Berkeley Suite, 35 Berkeley Square
Mayfair, London
W1J 5BF
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7993 4992
Website: www.careydoddassociates.com
Animate Puppet Co Enquires
Email: contact@animatepuppetco.com
Workshop Host Enquires
Email: contact@stephenlove.co.uk
Convention Appearances (via Matthew Campbell)
Email: contact@stephenlove.co.uk and you will be put in touch with Matthew.
Website Design Enquires
Email: contact@stephenlove.co.uk
bottom of page