Review: Planet of the Grapes, Pleasance Courtyard

If you are in the mood for some absurd and totally ridiculous pocket-sized puppetry, Planet of the Grapes at Pleasance Courtyard might be just the show for you. This is a tabletop production by Peter Michael Marino, which celebrates the classic American movie vibe with tiny puppets, some audience interaction and large bunches of rampant grapes.

With the help of Marisol Soledad, Marino imaginatively transports the audience into space, where a team of valiant astronauts wake from their space statis only to find they have crash-landed on a dystopian world, dominated by grape overlords. Yes, exactly. It’s self-consciously hammy, full of grape-related jokes and definitely bonkers.

Working from a small tabletop, the duo create a thrilling adventure in miniature using a huge number of props, set pieces and puppets, all with a distinctly homemade vibe and at a variety of scales. If you’re with small people, try to sit near to the front to get the best view, as there are no stadium-style screens with close-ups (really the show would fit better in a smaller venue, such as Zoo Playground or similar, but here we are). Hand held lights and fluorescent objects create impressive space-scapes, lighting up the dark as the audience stare in awe (kind of). Active volcanoes fold out as if from nowhere, and tiny magnets allow our all-American heroes (made from corks) and their fruity captors (actual grapes with uniforms and googly eyes) to move around the sets. The choice of materials for the rivals proves interestingly appropriate as the plot progresses and truths are revealed!

With some easy and audience-friendly interaction to be had, the venue is used enthusiastically, the performers running up and down the steps, spreading the action across a wider universe and getting people actively involved. A highlight at this performance was a member of the band Bon Jovi, Everett Bradley (yes, you read that right!), being persuaded to stand up and supervise the supreme grape court with a purple puppet. He was very good! But that doesn’t happen every day…

The show is anarchic and fun throughout, and seemed particularly celebrated by the Americans in the audience for whom the cultural references apparently really resonated. A twist on the Planet of the Apes ending is particularly chilling/hilariously funny given the modern political climate, and a great way to conclude the show. It’s all decidedly mad but imaginative and enjoyable. Go with it and you’ll have fun.

Created and performed by Peter Michael Marino 
Directed by Michole Biancosino
Original Score by Michael Harren

Planet of the Grapes runs at Pleasance Courtyard until Sunday 30 August as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.