Puppets

Once Upon a Time there was a woman in her prime seeking love and understanding from a “perfect” male, but she found it near impossible. Puppets is a whimsical, and a little woeful, musical/comedy show that explores modern dating, written and performed by Olivia Ruggiero and directed by Carly Fisher.

We all grew up with the same magical fairy tales that foster the perfect female/male stereotypes. These days, modern women juggle careers and children and are gaining more support in the fight for equal rights (as for Prince Charming, his prime motivation is to reinforce patriarchal norms), while #MeToo (a recent phenomenon) and dating apps (all the rage) have created social confusion around the traditional romancing rendezvous. Puppets explores this current conundrum with puppetry and song.

Olivia reads from her fairy tale story book; claiming she is no Rapunzel, yet maybe waiting for her dream date to sweep her off her feet, to have romance and maybe live happily ever after. An extensive medley of songs from musicals including Les Misérables, Cyndi Lauper, Taylor Swift and more illustrate her frustrations with dating. The stage set is quirky and colourful, puppets (Sesame Street puppets) surround the stage; they are “failed dates” and have their own distinctive voice (voice over) and separate dating scenarios.

Ruggiero is accompanied by the talented Charlotte Leamon on piano, while the show is meticulous and well-crafted by Fisher. For a one-hour long show, it packs in song, and quirky comic routines. Ruggiero is a sensational and vivacious talent and I look forward to seeing her next show.

Flora Georgiou

Photographer: Monique Harmer