Puppetry of the Penis

Puppetry of the Penis
Simon Morley & David Friend, Puppetry of the Penis, Glastonbury Festival, 2019
Written bySimon Morley & David Friend
Date premiered1996 (1996)
Place premieredMelbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Original languageEnglish
Official site

Puppetry of the Penis is a comedic live performance-art show featuring a series of genital contortions. The show was initially conceived as the title of a highbrow art calendar released by Australian Simon Morley in 1996.[1][2] The calendar showcased twelve penis "installations" (the manipulation of male genitalia into a variety of recognisable forms).[3] In response to increasing requests for live demonstrations, in 1997 Morley enlisted fellow Australian, David "Friendy" Friend, to devise a performance show consisting of body-based genital comedy.[4]

The show involves two nude men who bend, twist, and fold their penises and scrotums into various shapes.[5] The theatrical contortion of the male genitalia accompanied by comedic narration has since spread internationally. It is humorously termed "dick trick"[6] or "genital origami."

Puppetry of the Penis was first performed on stage at the 1998 Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia, featuring the creators, Morley and Friend, as the premiere cast.[7] The show has since appeared on the international stage, featuring productions in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, Canada, the United States, South Africa and Argentina.[1] The initial Australian tour was the subject of Australian comedian Mick Molloy's 2000 documentary Tackle Happy.[2][8] The duo has recruited supporting production teams and actors across Australia, the UK and the U.S., allowing international performance demands to be met. Due to the success of the show, the business was expanded to cater for private parties around Australia.[9]

A Puppetry of the Penis TV special has aired in Australia on One.[10]

  1. ^ a b Kovacs, Clare (2006). "Puppetry of the Penis: A Deconstruction of the Phallus as Weapon". Athanor. 24: 73–79.
  2. ^ a b "Puppetry of the Penis | The Sit Down Comedy Club". www.standup.com.au. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Puppetry of the Penis". www.australianstage.com.au. 12 April 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  4. ^ Costello, Becca (2005). "Move over, Bacon! Puppetry of the Penis meets male nudity taboos head on". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  5. ^ Weber, Bruce (8 October 2001). "THEATER REVIEW; A Couple of Naked Guys From Australia". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  6. ^ Reiner, Jay (20 August 2002). "'Puppetry of the Penis'". Hollywood Reporter. 374 (42).
  7. ^ Criscitiello, Alexa. "PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS Announces Best Bits Tour". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  8. ^ Gowen, Annie; Miller, Nicole M. (17 July 2003). "'Puppetry': Private Parts as Public Art". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  9. ^ ADCOCK, JOE (9 August 2003). "'Puppetry of the Penis' draws the gals". seattlepi.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  10. ^ David Knox (27 March 2012). "Comedy nights on ONE". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 August 2012.