54321FAB! Thunderbirds and friends are coming to Worcester

Media release: 8 June 2026

54321FAB!

Thunderbirds and friends are coming to Worcester

Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum

4 July – 6 September 2026

54321FAB! arrives at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum on 4 July until 6 September 2026
Exhibition includes original puppets, studio models, art and memorabilia
Includes family Action Station for hands-on fun
Free entry

54321 FAB! is an incredible display of original puppets, studio models, art and memorabilia from the much-loved 1960s TV shows of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The exhibition arrives at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum on 4 July until 6 September 2026.

Visitors will revisit their childhood favourites including Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, Stingray and more, and will have an unprecedented opportunity to see screen-used original puppets from the shows.

Original puppets including Lady Penelope and Joe 90 will be on display, having been painstakingly restored to their original condition as filmed in the 1960s. Other characters which no longer exist in their original form, such as the heroic Thunderbirds pilots, have been rebuilt from original moulds and materials to create new working replica puppets. The exhibition also features models of iconic vehicles such as Fireball XL5, Stingray and the Thunderbirds craft.

Original comic and production design art will also be in the exhibition, whilst a huge collection of 1960s toys and memorabilia will be on show to take visitors on a FAB trip down memory lane.

Families can enjoy hands-on fun together at the WASP – Worcester Aquanaut Severn Patrol action station where they can create their own puppet show and dress up as characters from the TV shows.

A FAB programme of events celebrating the exhibition can also be enjoyed at the Art Gallery & Museum throughout the summer, including spotlight talks by Graham Bleathman, one of the country’s leading illustrators well known for his work on Gerry Anderson’s TV series including Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Stingray, and Marc Silk, the voice of Global Defence Force agent Captain Wayne Rigby in Thunderbirds Are Go! as well as the voice of several guest characters in the show. Plus the popular Museum after Hours events return with a FAB theme.

Museums Worcestershire Senior Curator Deborah Fox comments: “We pride ourselves in providing top, family fun for the summer holidays and this year is a true classic where visitors can relive their childhood through Thunderbirds and friends, and share their memories with their families. We might even inspire some new fans!”

The exhibition has been made possible with the support of Fanderson, The official Gerry and Sylvia Anderson Appreciation Society.

Check out www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk and our social media channels for up-to-date news and information on the exhibition and a fun FAB-themed programme of events and activities.

This year’s Worcester Show is also following the 60s theme, so prepare for a day of family fun, entertainment, food and community competitions when the Worcester Show is back at Pitchcroft on Sunday 9 August. Find out more at www.worcestershow.org.uk.

ENDS

Press contact:

For further information contact: Helen Large, Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, email Helen.Large@worcester.gov.uk

Image Credit: All images © Chris King

Thursday 2 July, 11am photo / interview opportunity, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum

There will be a photo opportunity with Captain Scarlet (Chris Daniels). There will be an interview opportunity with Marc Silk, the voice of Global Defence Force agent Captain Wayne Rigby in Thunderbirds Are Go! as well as the voice of several guest characters in the show.

Please confirm your attendance with Helen.Large@worcester.gov.uk

Exhibition Details:

54321FAB!

Saturday 4 July – Saturday 6 September 2026 | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 3pm

For events see www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk

Thunderbirds and friends are coming to Worcester!

Nostalgia for the 1960s has never been stronger than in this incredible display of original puppets, studio models, art and memorabilia from the much-loved 1960s TV shows of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. Relive childhood favourites Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, Stingray and more, with this unprecedented opportunity to see original puppets from the shows.

Free entry to the exhibition, donations welcome.