REVIEW: Rust, Pleasance Islington, November 3 2009

Rust by Green Ginger forms part of the Suspense festival, the first puppet festival to take place in London for over 25 years. The ten-day festival which began on 30 October will feature performances, masterclasses and symposia across seven venues in the capital. Its aim is to explode the myths that currently surround puppetry in the UK and bring puppetry to new audiences.

Rust follows a rather bizarre storyline in which Spike, a hapless employee of the Jellicoe corporation, is almost abducted by his boss the Reverend Evan Jellicoe, a hysterical lunatic who has found 'cod'. However, he is luckily rescued en route to Jellicoe's ship by the anarchic pirate DJ twins, and foe of Jellicoe, Jimmy and Mickey Limpet and their captain Linseed; who reside in a rusting submarine. Distraught, Spike's friend and co-worker Sidney sets out in search of Spike enlisting the help of unhinged vinyl record salesman Lionel.

Eccentric plot aside, there are some fantastically crafted grotesque puppets and their operation is top notch. The three operators Dick Downey, Vic Llewellyn and Chris Pirie are masters at creating great comic moments, the show is laced with a clever and caustic humour which sometimes strays onto rather taboo topics, although you can expect nothing less with such irreverent puppets. The performers are kept busy too by combining their puppeteering with some live action and even a few songs.

The music, composed by Simon Preston, which accompanies the play throughout and strays from electric tango to punk rock, is really something to get the heart racing and really helps build the aberrant landscapes.

A sharp and funny show which shows the great world of puppet theatre at its impudent best but as the Suspense festival is hopefully showing, this is only the tip of the iceberg.

 

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