Review by Jo Tomalin
ForAllEvents.com
Puppeteer Dale Wylde and Tina from Blind Summit Theatre (photo: Jo Tomalin)
The Sex Lives of Puppets by Blind Summit Theatre from the UK performed February 18 to Saturday, February 21, 2026 at The Studio, Bing Hall presented by Stanford Live at Stanford, California.
The energetic and hugely entertaining one hour forty five minute show comprises a series of vignettes andinterviews told through puppets animated by four Blind Summit Theatre company puppeteers: Mark Down, Isobel Griffiths, Dale Wylde, Elliot Liburd. Down is also Artistic Director of Blind Summit, whose idea is behind this original show, written and directed by Down and Ben Keaton.
At least a dozen puppets of all ages and types share their innermost thoughts – their personalities are so real that they are instantly relatable! A couple, Meryl and Jeremy talk to us about sexual well being. Four puppeteers work the two approximately one yard tall puppet characters with one manipulating an arm and the head with mouth that opens as the puppeteer speaks, and another puppeteer works the other arm.Beautifully designed puppet people (puppet design by Down) sit on a platform of a high table and we see the puppeteers behind throughout. The faces, eyes, mouths and physical posture are exquisitely designed and the puppeteers lend their voices and bring them to life. The range of emotions and personalities is interesting and no two are alike, so the show moves along with a variety of topics and opinions about sex!
While watching each puppet is mesmerizing watching the puppeteers is equally fascinating. They each commit completely to the characters and their own facial features and intent focus on their puppet bringsthem to life magically. This is puppetry at its best with high level skills of creativity, acting, voice work and puppetry coordination animating these inanimate objects into an emotional life. Each character is individual with costumes varying from a leopard skin pattern cardigan to a black pleather jacket and a royal blue suit. In between each scene the ensemble present the title and names of interviewees with zippy cardboard signs!
The writing by Down and Keaton is smart, witty and real combined with their direction that emphasizes excellent timing and finessed physical gestures to the audience throughout the approximately ten scenes. In fact, a highlight is when the pairs interact briefly with their partner with spicy encouragement or juicy laughter! The puppeteers switch characters quickly and they all demonstrate a variety of voices and believable accents from British to Irish and American.
These puppets have fun and so do we! Suki, the actress is dramatic and sensuous in a wonderfully visceral scene. Two men share secrets of living in a care home in a revealingly poignant scene and the effusivefinancier Dimitri shares his secret sauce of life with delicate partner Robin. At times characters evoke people in our lives, which is a bit scary! Highly Recommended!
More Information:
Stanford Live
https://live.stanford.edu/
Blind Summit Theatre
https://www.blindsummit.com/
Instagram: Blind Summit
Jo Tomalin studied with Jacques Lecoq in Paris. She completed the two year professional course at Ecole Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, Paris, France, where she also completed the Laboratoire du Mouvement (LEM) scenography, mask and movement course.
Originally from England, Jo is currently based in San Francisco, where she reviews Theatre & Dance for www.ForAllEvents.com & www.FringeReview.co.uk. She is a Professor in the School of Theatre & Dance at San Francisco State University where she teaches performance subjects and directs MainStage plays. She also works in the performing arts field as a freelance movement & voice specialist, director + actor. Jo’s play “Jessica” which she also directed was produced at the Fringe of Marin – a One Act New Play Festival in Northern California.
Jo Tomalin graduated with a degree from London University’s Laban Centre Teaching Credential program in Modern Dance, Art of Movement & Choreography; studied Classical Acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London; completed a teacher’s diploma (ATCL) in Voice and Acting from Trinity College of Dramatic Art, London; and studied classical ballet for 12 years.
Jo also holds a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University, MN, and a Master of Science degree in Educational Technology from Boise State University in the USA.
