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Venue 33: Pleasance Courtyard
A cheeky, inventive, and thoroughly entertaining puppet show that offers humour and unexpected depth.Summary
Rating
Excellent
The Sex Lives of Puppets is a delightfully quirky and surprisingly insightful exploration of the one topic that’s as universal as it is taboo: sex. This four-puppeteer show breathes life into its inanimate stars, using humour and a touch of absurdity to dive into the intimate lives of puppets, ultimately crafting an experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Despite some minor shortcomings, the show earns a solid four stars for its creativity, charm, and the sheer audacity of its premise.
From the moment the puppeteers take the stage, it’s clear that this is no ordinary puppet show. The puppets themselves are marvels of design — detailed, exaggerated, and uniquely styled, each one is a character in its own right. Whether depicting a married couple, a singleton navigating the dating world, or even a puppet engaged in an affair, these creations are brought to life with such care that it’s easy to forget they’re not actually alive. The meticulous craftsmanship behind the puppets, combined with the puppeteers’ skill, ensures that every movement, every glance, and every nuance is perfectly executed.
One of the show’s strongest points is the puppeteers’ ability to blend into the background, allowing the puppets to command the audience’s attention. Their focus and precision are evident, and their eye contact with the puppets guides the viewer’s gaze, making the experience feel seamless and immersive. The puppeteers’ commitment to their craft is commendable, and it elevates the show to a level of professionalism that is often hard to find.
The structure of the show is clever, presenting a series of interviews with various puppets, all centred around their sexual experiences. This setup allows for a range of comedic scenarios, from the awkwardness of a first date to the hilarity of a puppet orgy — a scene that stands out as one of the most inventive and riotous moments. The humour, while often leaning towards the risqué, is balanced with moments of genuine reflection, prompting the audience to consider deeper questions about sexual wellbeing and intimacy.
However, while the show is consistently amusing, there are times when the comedy feels a bit too safe. Some of the jokes and interactions are predictable, and the writing occasionally falls into a pattern that can make the dialogue feel repetitive. The attempt to create a naturalistic interview style sometimes backfires, leading to moments where the repetition feels overdone rather than authentic. These minor issues, though, do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the show.
The characterisations, both of the puppets and the puppeteers’ performances, are another highlight. Each puppet is given a distinct personality, brought to life through accent work, physicality, and a deep understanding of the character they represent. The variety in accents and styles keeps the show fresh, showcasing the versatility of the performers and adding layers to the humour.
The Sex Lives of Puppets does exactly what it promises: it delivers a hilarious, audacious and thoroughly entertaining look at sex through the lens of puppetry. It stands out for its originality, craftsmanship, and the way it manages to be both light-hearted and reflective. The show is a testament to the power of puppetry as a medium for adult comedy, proving that even the most inanimate of objects can spark laughter, curiosity, and a little bit of wonder.
Written and directed by Mark Down and Ben Keaton
Performed by Blind Summit (Mark Down, Isobel Griffiths, Briony O’Callaghan and Dale Wylde)
Puppets design by Russell Dean
Lighting design by James Mckenzie
This show has completed its Edinburgh Fringe run, and will run at Southwark Playhouse between the 4th and 28th September. Further information and booking are available here.
