Comedy
By Bootleg Comedy
Rosie O’Grady’s – Cabaret Bar
25th January
Review by Amy Thomasson

I’ve never been a fan of puppets. For as long as I can remember, I’ve held them in about the same esteem as clowns: vaguely terrifying and not to be trifled with. That being said, I was optimistic about Puppet Fiction changing my relationship with these mildly menacing cloth props, and it’s safe to say it did not disappoint.

Pulp Fiction is an incredibly ambitious film that continues to capture the minds of viewers over a decade after its initial release, with Puppet Fiction reinventing the classic with a charmingly satirical quality, retaining the same relentless edginess of the film. Clocking in at three hours long if you choose to see it all at once (the show can also be viewed in three parts on separate nights), it certainly isn’t for the faint hearted, but is guaranteed to beguile even the most passive Pulp fan and enchant those who are entirely new to the franchise.

The Bootleg Comedy trio from New Zealand utilise slap-stick to expose layers of humour that are not so evident in the film. In particular, their use of improvisation when strings inevitably become tangled is highly impressive, further adding to show’s satirical bent. While not seamless, the tangles and twists that the puppeteers get themselves into are what make this show so endearing and engaging – as an audience member you genuinely feel part of the action and get the sense that the puppeteers are along for the ride just as much as you are.

An incredibly involved and intimate show, Puppet Fiction pays homage to Pulp Fiction whilst still being original in its own right, making clever use of the medium to put a unique spin on a much revered film.

Puppet Fiction runs until the 15th February. You can buy tickets here.