Although this year’s offerings by Blind Summit are a little too naughty for children, it has returned to EdFringe to dazzle us with their puppetry. They rank up there with listening to Dame Judi reading the telephone book. It almost wouldn’t matter what they presented; they are that good at their craft.
Blind Summit has created several two-man (puppet) interviews asking for couples’ experiences and attitudes and reflections on their sexual histories.
“Have a good bonk,” is the express theme of the evening. One couple are married but not to each other. They like to try new things but she advises to have a “safe” word. And he suggests, “Yea. Stop!” A pair of lesbians talk about discovering their homosexuality with each other. “I had sex with a man, but that doesn’t count.” Two elderly gentlemen (puppets, have to keep reminding myself) talk about discovering their homosexuality after long marriages to women. Then an encouraging single gentleman (puppet) near the end talks about sex lives in a care home. “They have it all the time.” “It’s even better ‘cause you can take you teeth out.”
The movement and dialogue are mastered by puppeteers who make them look and sound like real human beings. Nowhere is this so obvious as in this interview situation that Blind Summit has used as a focus for the night.
The final scene (spoiler alert; you knew it was coming) is Blind Summit's take on an orgy. You will not expect it and you will have to pick yourself up off the floor.
Mark Down (original concept), Ben Keaton (director) along with all the puppeteers, puppet creators, costume creators, well, the whole team, make Blind Summit puppetry amazing and entertaining.
If you can only see one show at the Fringe, it should be this one. You’ll have to keep reminding yourself that they are puppets.