Brought to expressive life by the puppeteering skills of Andy Manjuck and Dorothy James, Bill is set to celebrate his 44th birthday by making some of the punchiest punch ever mixed by a papier-mâché marionette. As his evening progresses, and his party plans slowly unravel, we are treated to a show that is both comedic and poignant as the titular hero navigates solitude, ageing, dancing carrots, and hooligan balloons.
The show deftly balances humour and pathos
It all starts so well. Balloons have been inflated, nibbles have been arranged, and bunting has been hung. All Bill needs are guests. Sadly, they do not arrive and as night unfolds, Bill's disappointment and loneliness manifest through increasingly surreal and darker scenarios. The show deftly balances humour and pathos, drawing the audience into Bill's emotional journey without a word being uttered.
This is largely thanks to the skill of the puppeteers involved. Bill is a fairly stripped-down figure, a largely featureless head adorned only by a pair of bushy eyebrows and an even bushier moustache. The deft movements of Manjuck and James imbue the figure with character as he dresses the room, dances, and awaits visitors with ever more angst. It’s an often subtle and sensitive performance which allows emotional engagement to flourish.
As the events go on, they become more surreal, culminating in some of the strongest sections of the show. We see Bill’s life in short, a procession of birthdays and life events which hint at a life not quite fulfilled. It’s powerful, suggestive, and very entertaining, offering not only a bittersweet taste of ageing, but also some optimism as the end draws near.
You wouldn’t know it to look at my youthful visage, but dear reader, it’s true. Your beloved reviewer himself turned 44 just a few short months ago. I am relieved to report that my own celebrations were far less dramatic than Bill’s, although just as brimming with existential dread. While the sushi I had to celebrate the occasion was very good, it wasn’t nearly as entertaining as the hour or so of excellent puppetry and storytelling on offer at Bill’s 44th.
