Tobacco Factory Theatre

Punch and Judy in Afghanistan

With its biennial Bristol Festival of Puppetry, Puppet Place alongside Tobacco Factory Theatres has led the way in igniting Bristol’s interest (and worldwide fame) in adult puppetry – so it’s good to see them welcoming back one of the absolute masters of the genre this month.

Punch and Judy in Afghanistan is a darkly comic piece from the fertile brain of Neville Tranter of Stuffed Puppet, leaders in the adult-puppet field and star turns at the Puppet Fest. 

Nigel, a puppeteer, has come to Afghanistan to entertain the troops. But when his assistant goes missing, Nigel finds himself in extreme danger as he tries to find out what has happened.

His search brings him to Tora Bora – where he meets Punch Bin Laden, a heartless television reporter, a nervous UN soldier and a camel keeper. Punch Bin Laden and his bloodthirsty wife amuse themselves playing cat and mouse with Nigel. But Nigel must escape to tell the Americans where to find Bin Laden.

Tranter uses the humour and charm of puppetry to create ruthless theatre that explores profound themes and evokes images that linger with audiences.

His extraordinary show Schicklgruber Alias Adolf Hitler was a highlight of 2011’s Puppet Fest. “Often funny, but more often frightening,” in the words of one review, this show is being brought to town by Puppet Fest’s creators, the brilliant Puppet Place. 

November 14 & 15

www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Bristol Old Vic

War Game

As part of the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, Bristol Old Vic stages this multi-generational family show devised and directed by Toby Hulse – best known for his No Loud Bangs children’s Christmas productions – and inspired by Michael Foreman’s bestselling novella for young readers. 

War Game tells the story of the opening months of the war through the eyes of a village football team who sign up, train, are despatched to the Front and then play in one of the famous matches between British and German troops across No Man’s Land, as part of 1914’s Christmas Day Truce.

Hulse’s show mixes interactive storytelling with comedy and tragedy to create a distinct environment and atmosphere, evoking the spirit of adventure that swept young men to war, only to find themselves making the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Using the language of football commentary and a sparse set that transports the audience between 2014 and 1914, the one-man show is performed by Robin Hemmings, with audiences enlisted as the rest of the characters.

Music and soundscapes by Timothy X Atack Kieran Buckeridge uses the recorded and distorted voices of the audience to help kick the storyline along.

Says Toby: “War Game tells a simple but powerful story in a playful, theatrical style, engaging directly with the audience, on a set inspired by the book’s illustrations. It uses both original music and songs of the period, and actively involves the audience through live sampling and looping. It’s a wonderful way to discover this part of our history.”

November 11-22

www.bristololdvic.org.uk