Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival's 'Sex Lives of Puppets' Challenges Social Norms with Candid Conversations about Sex
The 1 1/2-hour show may seem provocative at first glance, but it's more nuanced than that. "It's amazing how rare the sort of husband and wife and three kids is in the survey," says Mark Down, co-writer and co-director of the show. The puppets' candid conversations about sex are based on a survey conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, which included participants who attended an orgy without their spouses.
The puppets are not anatomically complete, except for those in one scene that Down describes as "absolutely juvenile." However, most of the show is focused on puppet couples discussing sex, similar to the old-married-couple interludes seen in films like "When Harry Met Sally."
Down, who has had a long career in puppetry and previously worked in an emergency room, explains that the idea for the show came from a break during rehearsals when the puppets started talking about sex. The company was working on other shows, but the conversations were so engaging that they decided to create a show around it.
The reaction to the show has been overwhelmingly positive, with audiences responding to its unique and unapologetic approach to discussing sex. Down admits to being terrified of backlash at first, but ultimately found that people loved the show.
While the show includes shadow pornography, it's not intended for children. When asked about certain topics, Down is careful to ensure that the puppets' dialogue stays within boundaries. However, he does confirm that there will be no explicit sex acts in the show.
Overall, "Sex Lives of Puppets" is a groundbreaking and thought-provoking production that challenges social norms and sparks conversations about sex. With its unique blend of humor, tenderness, and raw honesty, it's an experience unlike any other.
The 1 1/2-hour show may seem provocative at first glance, but it's more nuanced than that. "It's amazing how rare the sort of husband and wife and three kids is in the survey," says Mark Down, co-writer and co-director of the show. The puppets' candid conversations about sex are based on a survey conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, which included participants who attended an orgy without their spouses.
The puppets are not anatomically complete, except for those in one scene that Down describes as "absolutely juvenile." However, most of the show is focused on puppet couples discussing sex, similar to the old-married-couple interludes seen in films like "When Harry Met Sally."
Down, who has had a long career in puppetry and previously worked in an emergency room, explains that the idea for the show came from a break during rehearsals when the puppets started talking about sex. The company was working on other shows, but the conversations were so engaging that they decided to create a show around it.
The reaction to the show has been overwhelmingly positive, with audiences responding to its unique and unapologetic approach to discussing sex. Down admits to being terrified of backlash at first, but ultimately found that people loved the show.
While the show includes shadow pornography, it's not intended for children. When asked about certain topics, Down is careful to ensure that the puppets' dialogue stays within boundaries. However, he does confirm that there will be no explicit sex acts in the show.
Overall, "Sex Lives of Puppets" is a groundbreaking and thought-provoking production that challenges social norms and sparks conversations about sex. With its unique blend of humor, tenderness, and raw honesty, it's an experience unlike any other.
The way they tackle sex is super refreshing, you know? Like, we need more conversations about that stuff in a non-judgy way. I mean, who needs to be embarrassed or anything? 
I've seen some crazy stuff on YouTube, but this show's got some serious depth to it. It's like, they're not afraid to get real and talk about the messiness of relationships...and our bodies! 
My favorite part is when they mention that survey from London - who knew people would be having wild orgies without their spouses? 
But seriously, this show's all about embracing the weirdness and being honest with ourselves. And honestly (heh), it's kinda beautiful to see puppets just...being human? 
. I mean, we're so scared to get into it that we just avoid it altogether... meanwhile our kids are growin up and thinkin' they already know it all 
. I mean, who would've thought that puppets having a real talk about sex would be so... refreshing? 
It's like they're saying "hey, we get it, people are curious" and not just playing it safe like most adult shows do. And I love how they used actual data to inspire the conversations - it adds a layer of authenticity that makes you go "hmm". I'm all for pushing boundaries, but I think this show is more about sparking meaningful conversations than getting down and dirty (no pun intended 
). The fact that it's not explicit but still gets people talking says a lot about our society. We're always looking for ways to make sex less taboo, so kudos to the puppets for bringing it up in a way that's relatable and easy to digest! 
. I mean, who doesn't love a good conversation about sex? It's like, the more we talk about it, the more normal it becomes, right? And let's be real, most of us have some pretty weird and wild sex lives 
. The fact that they used data from an actual survey to create this show is genius 
. I'm not gonna lie, I was a bit hesitant at first, but now I'm all about it 
. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know you're curious, and we're gonna talk about it in a way that's actually funny and relatable." No more cheesy rom-coms or awkward silences 
, but overall, really proud of them for tackling this tough topic
, i love how they're not afraid to talk about it in a way that's actually funny & relatable 
I'm all for challenging social norms and having honest conversations about sex, especially when it comes to relationships 
, this puppets' show is like a breath of fresh air 