What I liked
What I didn't like
I would have liked the drummer onstage instead of being in the house… but I totally understand due to space constraints. Not a big deal at all.
My overall impression
These people are damn talented. A highly theatrical show with tasteful, hilarious violence and wonderfully choreographed fight sequences. The actors just nail the physicality of being a live puppet. There is a moment in the show (no spoilers) that just fills the entire space and we are reminded of the magic of theatre. A drummer, with sound effects on the ready, lives in the front of house with the audience as he provides the rim shot to punchlines, cow bells gunshots and the beating of a baseball bat which lies in the deadly hands of Punch. And it’s all played for laughs. The directing is razor-sharp and again, these actors know what they are doing considering they all have extensive, professional backgrounds. This is a show that is ready for audiences. It’s been fine-tuned. If you aren’t familiar with Punch and Judy, come early as a woman is there to give you a brief history lesson as you walk into the theatre. Regardless, it won’t be a factor in you enjoying the show or not. Dark commedia dell’arte. That’s what this is.
