Back in 2007, the term Punch Kamikaze was created for an Alice in Wonderland puppet festival. Artists are assigned sections of a book, film or historical event with no limitations on puppet style or interpretation. The pieces are presented in order but are not coordinated in any way. This week Drama of Works hosted a take on Dante Alighieri in PUNCH KAMIKAZE: Inferno!
In eleven segments, the first part of the 14th century epic poem Divine Comedy is reenacted. In this story, Dante is guided through hell by the ancient Roman poet Virgil. The puppeteers tackle the Descent Into Hell followed by the nine circles of torment. The personification of the devil finishes the tale in The Emperor of the Kingdom of Despair performed by Trade Winds Theatre and Hunter College.
The show is a smorgasbord of styles and varying quality. Limbo is the first circle which contains the unbaptized and virtuous pagans. (Since I was baptized as a child, I probably won’t land here. I do consider myself a quite ethical pagan so time will tell which circle the sorting hat will choose.) Singing about their “splendid, splendid castle” a monk choir holds candles while puppets perform on a castle of seven high walls.
LUST, A.K.A. Hollywood is a solo piece by Patryk Koma Wilinski. He meets Madonna in a bar and, after many drinks, she complements his lovemaking expertise. Waking from that dream and with Morgan Freeman as his Virgil, he covers the typical slimy types represented with standing paper cutouts including one of Hugh Hefner.
Greed is retitled as Hoarders & Spendthrifts, Virgil Tours – Your Guide to Hell(‘s) Kitchen and Beyond. In this creative concept by Playlab NYC, a guide narrates a walking tour of this since renamed New York City neighborhood. We meet a beggar. The puppets employed here are larger sized versions of the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em robot toys. The two battlers embody a Republican and a Democrat. Both are appropriately ridiculed.
My absolute favorite chapter presentation was FRAUD by Exploding Puppet Productions. Instead of a puppet show, there was a video of a young girl (Charlie Walton) who is coloring. She is creating a drawing of the word FRAUD on a piece of paper. Her commentary is adorably funny. Eventually we briefly see some Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals beneath a comforter. The short piece ends with her asking, “Is Trump in jail yet?” A puppet show fraud, indeed.
At the end, a giant multi-headed creature representing Lucifer is assembled by a large troupe. Arms are painted flexible tubes. There are three heads as told in the Inferno. It is obviously munching on people. The show ends with eerie, slightly crazed laughter.
This experimental show is clearly not for everyone. Two women bolted early on. Were they fleeing metaphorically from their personal circle of entertainment hell? Some sections were less accomplished while others reached for a creativity that was only partially successful. The audience was very supportive to them all. Punch Kamikaze is probably best when you have an affinity for the subject matter and are willing to support offbeat diversions from artists cultivating their talents.