Content

The WinterBeast Ball is a brand new large-scale immersive Christmas experience at Hampton Court Palace, running from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Inspired by the Palace's own heraldic bestiary, the experience brings mythical Beasts to life across the Palace's iconic rooms and courtyards through live performance, puppetry, projection and live music.

Performers will work across a free-roam, non-linear experience, engaging one-to-one and in small groups with visitors of all ages, predominantly families. Characters are sustained across full performance days in a high-footfall, outdoor and indoor environment over the Christmas period.

We are looking for performers who thrive in this context: resilient, inventive, and genuinely comfortable with the unexpected.

All performers will be required to apply their own beast-style make-up. Tuition and training on the specific make-up application for each character will be provided during the rehearsal period.

Candidates with a current enhanced DBS certificate on the update service are strongly preferred.

All roles are open to performers of all ethnicities and backgrounds. We are committed to an inclusive cast that reflects the breadth of our audiences. ALL performers must be able to get to Hampton Court with ease as no relocation subs are offered.

Dates

Rehearsals will take place 17 to 26 November.

Performance days run 28 November to 3 January

Roles

Roles Details

Title

The Yale

Content

The Yale takes their role very seriously. Entrusted with the care of the King and Queen's daughter, they consider it the defining appointment of their life. They are grounded, unhurried, encyclopaedic. Their relationship with the Princess Unicorn Foal, the hand puppet in their care, is devoted, proud and protective.

We are looking for a performer with puppetry experience who can operate a hand puppet while in full Masked Court costume. This role is based in Clock Court: outdoors, in all weathers. Warmth, patience and comic instincts are essential.

Key skills: Puppetry (hand puppet). Character performance. Outdoor performance stamina. Strong movement.

Salary

Total engagement fee: £ 4,190.17 The engagement runs across 37 days, including 6 rehearsal days and includes two 8-day performance blocks. Working days vary week to week between 5 and 6 days. The fee equates to an average of £620 per week pro rata based on a 40 hour week. Appropriate scheduled breaks are incorporated throughout performance days. The following dates are subject to confirmation and would be engaged at additional fees: Soft Launch: 26 November Relaxed Performance: 8 December

Age

18 - 45