Cabaret Mechanical Theatre

The Home of Contemporary Automata

We have been entertaining and inspiring visitors & makers with our collection of automata since 1981. Now based in Hastings, UK we have exhibitions all over the world.

Featured Products

Store

A wide range of mechanical delights. From original handmade automata to kits & books to kick start your own automata making journey.
A boy points at Biodiversity by Paul Spooner. An automata of 20 figures floating and rotating in space

Exhibitions

Our collection of contemporary automata can be seen in museums & galleries around the world as well as at our home in Hastings, UK.
A table filled with cardboard boxes containing cam mechanisms. Women and children are constructing and playing with the pieces.

Making

Explore our resources to learn how to make automata or sign up to one of our workshops.

Support Us

We need your help to run our 2026 community engagement projects. As a non profit company all donations go towards our goals to share the magic of automata with our local and global community.

Latest News

The Science of Conversation

The Science of Conversation

We’re delving into the archives to take a closer look at some of Paul Spooner’s automata. This piece is from 2010. “Although it’s tempting to think of ways in which…
Finding the Value

Finding the Value

In 2011 Peter Madsen left his estate to York Museum’s Trust. Amongst is bequest was his art collection. Finding the Value is an exhibition in which commissioned artists respond to…
The Stable by Lisa Slater

The Stable by Lisa Slater

This eye-catching wall-mounted piece is from automata-maker Lisa Slater, who works in the creative community of Hebden Bridge, England. ‘The stable was created after a weekend stay on a farm…
The Only Non-slip Dodo Mat in the World

The Only Non-slip Dodo Mat in the World

Paul Spooner reviews a refreshingly new exhibition in Falmouth, Cornwall. The result of collaborations with singers, dancers, actors and other creative types, this show is designed to help answer the…
Fish by Richard Hackney

Fish by Richard Hackney

This beautiful fish by Richard Hackney is made from assorted found metals. The piece is operated by a lever, and looks stunning from the front and back. Height: 36 cm…
CMT in Greenwich

CMT in Greenwich

Exhibition and Workshops 12th December to 22nd Feb 2014. We still have a few places left in our workshop programme for our current exhibition in Greenwich. Come and have fun…
Autumn Exhibitions

Autumn Exhibitions

News of two exhibitions. Firstly, we are delighted to be exhibiting 14 of our automata at Finton House School in London in the new Emma Thornton Building. CMT has had…
Our mission is to promote engineering and creativity through workshops, exhibitions and automata kits.

As a Community Interest Company all profits go toward this valuable work.

Cabaret Mechanical Theatre Learning CIC
Company Number: 14598590
© 2026 Cabaret Mechanical Theatre. All rights reserved.
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