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.

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A wide range of mechanical delights. From original handmade automata to kits & books to kick start your own automata making journey.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Latest News

Mechanics Alive! in Singapore

Mechanics Alive! in Singapore

September 17, 2025
Jointly presented by the Science Centre Singapore and Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, Mechanics Alive! brings visitors into a world of whimsical automata, brought to life through the clever use of simple…
Autumn Open Saturdays

Autumn Open Saturdays

September 17, 2025
We are delighted to announce that our Mechanical Making Space in Hastings will be open to the public on Saturdays for Autumn 2025. Sat October 4th – Sat December 20th…
Coastal Currents Open Days

Coastal Currents Open Days

August 14, 2025
We will be opening our Mechanical Making Space in Hastings for 2 weekends as part of Coastal Currents Arts Festival. We are joining many other artists and studios on the…
2025 Exhibitions

2025 Exhibitions

August 12, 2025
We currently have four automata exhibitions on show across the UK. Check out our Current Exhibitions page for all the info!
Automata at Hastings Museum

Automata at Hastings Museum

January 29, 2025
Find a trail of six automata from the CMT collection across the ground floor of the wonderful Hastings museum. The exhibits are made by Keith Newstead, Paul Spooner, Lisa Slater,…
The Tinkering Workshop Book

The Tinkering Workshop Book

January 17, 2025
Are you interested in getting started making and tinkering with mechanisms, automata and more at home using everyday materials? We are super excited to share that “The Tinkering Workshop”, the…
Festive Open Days

Festive Open Days

November 12, 2024
We will be opening our Mechanical Making Space in Hastings on 3 Saturdays before Christmas. Visit us to see automata, including the magnificent Gormenghast Castle, purchase kits, books & merchandise and…
The Mechanical Circus in Hove

The Mechanical Circus in Hove

October 31, 2024
Roll up! Roll up! It’s showtime! Hove Museum of Creativity proudly presents ten circus-themed automata from Cabaret Mechanical Theatre. The push of a button brings the performers to life in…
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.

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Company Number: 14598590
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