around the world with mr. punch

Brian Davey writes "I don’t think I told you about our most recent puppet/storytelling production which we showed for the first time during last summer. We call the production “POOKA” and it was inspired by Russell Hoban’s book “Riddley Walker” which, I think, is absolutely brilliant. My intention was to create a puppet show with a strong connection to Punch with connections to earlier British puppet shows like the mystery shows. As you know Hoban’s book takes place in the future after an apocalypse has occurred, where mankind reverts to a ‘tribal’ existence and ‘civilisation’ has disappeared into myths and legend. His use of language is particularly skilful and made me question and think about the origin of many common phrases.

I originally thought of calling our play “PUCK & POOTY” but then thought that this was too close in sound to “Punch & Judy” and I wanted a more subtle connection. It also occurred to me that PUCK would have its own connection in people’s minds as the mischievous sprite form “A midsummer’s night dream”. So finally I opted for POOKA which is a mischievous fairy/goblin. (I have since learned that in Ireland a Pooka means a ghost).

As well as POOKA we have his comely wife POOTY, (here is the Riddley Walker connection), and the BABBY, (half baby, half pig/sausage). SHERIFF ROTTENEGGS, (the figure of authority and a villain). THE BOGGET, (a kind of bogeyman) and a DRAGON, (which provides an alternative to the Crocodile).

There are lots of slapstick action with Pooka’s “boppy slappy slapstick”, and a version of the body count with items of food! Pooka, finally is confronted by GREENVINES, (Alison in a Greenman costume) who puts cocky Pooka in his place and condemns his voice to be a squeak, (a swazzle).