When Presto Puppet Theatre was formed in 1973, the Company was seen presenting their Puppet Cabaret in night clubs and village halls which, although difficult work, provided a firm foundation on which their reputation was to build. In 1990 an award was presented to Presto Puppet Theatre by Richard Luce, then Minister for the Arts; for work on Pinocchio. This award was made under the Government's Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts scheme, and was the first one awarded to a puppet company.