Bills 44th – Underbelly, Cowgate

Mr Bean meets Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared in this heartwarming Tragi – comedy, an existential tale of being alone, but never lonely.

Have you ever been to a party where there’s more balloons than people? No? Then you’ve never spent a birthday with Bill, who’s getting his modest flat ready to celebrate his 44^th birthday.  

Puppeteering duo Dorothy James and Andy Manjuck in association with Underbelly deliver a thoroughly entertaining piece of laugh out loud storytelling. Working in unison, James and Manjuck’s seamless, skillful control of Bill, creates a range of funny identifiable mannerisms and reactions, which add to Bill’s natural draw and likability. The physicality speaks a thousand words.  

The sold-out reactive audience showed instant warmth for Bill, evident from their joyful hums of laughter and stirs of emotion as they lapped up Bill’s boozy party antics.  This clever production carries ideas soaked in creativity and imagination as things become surreal and dreamlike, as we bear witness to a younger Bill’s past and previous birthday celebrations, filled with now absent people, and Bill with a full head of hair.

The touching score accompanying this piece, from a thumping party beat to a melancholy piano, pulls on the emotional heart strings. The air of unconditional innocence that puppets convey is on another level, their ability to deeply resonate with people is fascinating. Tapping into our inner child.

Runs until 25^th August 2024.

Reviewer: Gill Lewis

Reviewed: 13th August 2024

North West End UK Rating: