Jimi Handtrix & Friends

Pint-sized rock stars, larger-than-life characters — bringing music, puppetry and smiles to the streets.

Jimi Handtrix & Friends is a North East-based live puppetry and music act created and performed by puppeteer and puppet maker Rob Kirtley.

At the heart of the show is Jimi Handtrix, a pint-sized, self-proclaimed rock legend, joined by an expanding cast of larger-than-life musical characters including punk rocker Ronnie Rude, his girlfriend Roxy Riot, veteran entertainer Buddy Lennon and arriving in 2027,  ska-loving Two Tone Terry.

Combining live puppetry, character comedy, music and audience interaction, the show has been developed specifically to work as flexible walk-by, street and pop-up entertainment. Rather than relying on a conventional stage, the characters perform amongst festival crowds, creating spontaneous moments that encourage people to stop, watch, sing along and interact.

Since Jimi first took to the streets in 2023, the act has developed through hundreds of live performances at festivals, public events and street-performance locations around the UK. Highlights have included Edinburgh Festival Fringe Street Events, Rebellion Punk Festival, Blackpool, multi-day music and family festivals, and an extensive 54-date UK busking tour.

Rob designs and builds his own puppets and develops each character from initial concept through to their individual appearance, personality, voice and performance style. The result is an unusual combination of traditional live puppetry and popular music designed to engage both adults and children.

Rob is also writing, recording & performing original music for Ronnie Rude which are available on all streaming platforms.  He hopes to release these songs on a vinyl album in 2027.

Pint-sized rock stars, larger-than-life characters — bringing music, puppetry and smiles to the streets.