Pricey is the first thing to kick in when looking at the tickets for Puppet Up! Uncensored from afar. And no joke, the rate is high. And with no-name brand puppets behind the Jim Henson Company's banner fronting the programme and cast, it's a hard sell to take in.

After all, where's the filthy cussing Kermit, the cantankerous Waldorf and Statdler. The racial epitaph spewing Swedish Chef?

Not part of this crew. That's Disney's lot now.

But, the stars are not the puppets, but the puppeteers and improv artists that have their hands stuck up the rears of the varied felt cast on stage. Hosted by Patrick Bristow, it's a veritable swag of comedic talent that is just a gut ripping experience to watch.



Cutting up the suggestions from the audience for each skit, with one almost goer in a scene in a comic shop, it's a quick and clean affair. Scene after scene of absolute laughter break in the 90 minute show with a speed that's leaves a question on time travel and beckoning for more.

Jokes are naturally born from the situations and the skill of the performers and artists. Inevitable cussing and lowest common denominator options fly from the seats in the dark and it's a quality of dismissing them for the more challenging that really leaves a lot to admire from the troupe.

Hard not to laugh out loud and long. Tears well and form with the option of having the ribs break out and split from the side of the body. Pricey for sure, but entirely worth it.

 

December 22 and after that one more week before the end is so very here. One more shipping list before the roll over into 2006, that is if they don't keep pushing this and the next back a few. Those damned passenger concerns. Priorities and all that.

So many comics hitting the shelves and so many not that shout-out-and-burn-the-crotch interesting. (That may be some other condition totally unrelated to comics.)

Anyway, enough talk of that region. Best thing coming in for the week? BTVS Angel 21 inch Angel Puppet plush. Swoon. Ever seen the "Smile Time" episode of Angel? No? Well, it's like the Boreanaz getting his muppet on and spending the entire episode like that. For those who don't mind the junkies thinking you're carry a real muppet inside.