It’s an unusual theme this month – it started out simply as ‘PUPPETS’ during the annual planning meeting back in November, inspired by the return of Manipulate Festival (includes puppet-related programming); the 25th anniversary of the UK release of Being John Malkovich (also involves puppetry or is it truly only about puppetry?); the fact some of the team (*cough* Anahit *cough*) really like puppets. “Could we get Kermit for the Q&A?” “A deep dive into the making of *NSYNC’s No Strings Attached!” we shouted, excitedly.
The theme has evolved, as they tend to do, responding to things that are actually happening in Scotland this month and are not insane, so sadly the puppets have been reduced to a minor role in an issue that explores the politics of the body, of control, intimacy and autonomy. It is, to quote the elevator pitch sent round the team, both sexy and political. Also puppets.
Starting with Manipulate Festival, we meet artistic director Dawn Taylor to learn about this year’s programme, which include
