Puppetry of the Penis Confirms Extension

Perhaps the most unlikely 'theatrical' hit of the year, the Australian adult cabaret show, Puppetry of the Penis, has announced an extension to its West End run. The show, in which two males perform the 'ancient Australian art of genital origami', opened at the Whitehall Theatre on 20 September 2000 (previews from 18 September) for a limited five-week season, but is now booking up to 10 February 2001.

Puppetry of the Penis features two well-endowed Australian men, Simon Morley and David Friend, who manipulate their genitalia into various shapes, objects and landmarks. Amongst their popular penile impressions are The Hamburger, The Windsurfer, The Loch Ness Monster and The Slow-Emerging Mollusc. Though the Whitehall is small by West End standards, the staging ensures that no one could possibly miss a thing. A video camera projects all the intimate details onto a large on-stage screen.

Prior to London, Puppetry had a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. West End producers, David Johnson and Richard Temple, saw the show in Edinburgh and quickly realised the 'boys' had a hit in their hands when the woman sitting next to them wet her pants during the Kentucky Fried Chicken impression. At the Whitehall, Puppetry has smashed box office records, with both the biggest ever advance box office as well as the highest ever daily box office take.

Puppetry of the Penis had its debut at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 1998. A subsequent sell-out season in Sydney led to a national tour of Australia. Negotiations are now afoot for a UK tour and additional European engagements.

As part of the new booking period, producers have also introduced new group rates. Parties of ten or more will be subject to a £5 discount on top price seats and groups of 20 or more will receive a £10 discount off the same.

Due to the obviously rather risque material, Puppetry of the Penis is for adults only. It includes full-frontal male nudity, albeit of a non-sexual nature.

Related Content