Penguin brings interactive puppetry to the Fringe

Source: The List (Issue 662)
Date: 29 July 2010
Written by: Kelly Apter

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This article is from 2010.

Penguin brings interactive puppetry to the Fringe

Polly Dunbar's children books translate easily to stage

When writer and puppeteer Polly Dunbar creates her picture books, she’s got one eye on the page – and the other on the stage. ‘Although I’m not directly thinking of puppets whilst writing,’ she says, ‘I do keep performance in mind. Picture books are like little theatre pieces, which adult readers perform to children. So the easier the story is to act out, the more enjoyable it is for everyone.’

All those who saw Dunbar and her company Long Nose Puppet’s wonderful production of Shoe Baby will know that making things enjoyable comes naturally to her. Aimed at ages 2–7, Dunbar’s new adaptation, Penguin, features puppets made from recycled materials and tells the tale of a small boy who longs for his toy penguin to speak.

‘A crazy jamboree ensues,’ says Dunbar, ‘and the puppets and audience join together in their quest to make the Penguin talk. But it simply blinks – until the end, but that’s the surprise!’

Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 7–29 Aug (not 16 & 25), 11.20am, £7–£8 (£6–£7). Previews 4–6 Aug, 11.20am, £5.

This article is from 2010.

More: Theatre, Kids, Books, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Festivals, Fringe, Penguin, Polly Dunbar