Prepare to be shocked, thrilled, and possibly even titillated by the arrival of Malmö Dockteater's raunchy puppet show in East London! This Swedish sensation has already caused waves in Malmö and Stockholm with its explicit adaptation of Jackie Collins's 1968 bestseller, 'The World Is Full of Married Men'. The provocative production features anatomically enhanced Barbie and Ken dolls reenacting the novel's steamy sex scenes – a feat that will leave you begging for more!
Under the skilled direction of Erik Holmström, this theatrical spectacle utilises 14 intricately designed dollhouses, with two talented puppeteers, Kajsa Ericsson and Erik Olsson, bringing the dolls to life. The creative team's attention to detail is uncanny – think plastic penises and 'real hair' for an added dose of realism! Holmström himself has cheekily admitted he wants audiences to be 'secretly become a bit horny', a bold ambition that will either delight or dismay, depending on your taste.
This production takes transparency to new heights. You'll get to see the puppeteers in action alongside videographer Josefin Beischer, whose camera captures every detail of the miniature mayhem up close. The action is then livestreamed onto a massive screen, giving you an unparalleled glimpse into the inner workings of this adult-only puppet theatre. It's a bold move that aligns perfectly with Holmström's mission to demystify the magic behind the curtain – think 'glue' and 'screws' on full display!
Malmö Dockteater, Sweden's pioneering puppet theatre for grown-ups, has been pushing boundaries since its 2015 inception. With this show, they're taking aim at exploring sex through puppetry, a unique approach that might just revolutionise the way we experience this complex and often taboo topic on stage. By using puppets, Holmström hopes to sidestep the awkwardness or shock that human actors can evoke, allowing audiences to confront the raw emotion of Collins's narrative.
The choice of 'The World Is Full of Married Men' was a deliberate one, reflecting both Holmström and Ericsson's fond memories of reading Collins's scandalous novels as children in Sweden. Olsson notes that despite being written over 50 years ago, the themes of predatory culture and media sex parties still resonate eerily with today's #MeToo era – a testament to Collins's enduring influence and relevance.