Move over Ron Jeremy, it’s time for a performance
that’ll not only stimulate you visually, but mentally as
well.
The ancient art of genital origami is on display in the
theatrical variety show “The Puppetry of the
Penis.”
Set against a plain backdrop with few props except for a very
malleable appendage, it’s a show glorifying the flexibility
of the penis, while also perhaps inspiring others to try it.
“This is definitely not a play,” said David Friend,
one of the puppeteers. “We create interesting shapes,
landmarks and animals out of our penises by twisting and contorting
them ““ it’s performance art.”
Friend’s partner is Simon Morley, who founded the group of
puppeteers in 1996 when he began performing genital puppetry for
the masses.
It was not insanity, but boyish curiosity coupled with hard
alcohol that led Friend to discover his unmarked ability.
“Just like every boy, I tried to entertain myself in the
bath and figured out I had something spectacular to share with the
world,” said Friend. “When I went to university parties
and began drinking, it became easier to show people my talent and
before I knew it, everyone wanted to see and do it.”
People have reacted differently to his talent. In conservative
areas such as Queensland, Australia, audience members were more
than a little surprised when they found out instead of puppets, the
performers used their own penises for demonstration.
Extreme reactions have occurred such as the show getting banned
by public officials. In New Zealand, a mayor prohibited the show
from being performed in City Hall.
“People are extremely uptight about performance
art,” said Olivia McManus, a second-year musical theater
student. “If audience members just sat back, relaxed and
learned from an unorthodox performance, and maybe even applied it
to their own lives, we might have a happier population.”
The performances have taken Friend and Morley, along with other
puppeteers, around the world. From festivals in Edinburgh, to their
hometown of Sydney, the crew has gained many fans from New York to
New Zealand.
Friend and Morley perform more than 40 heroic and eye-opening
contortions with crowd-pleasers such as the Eiffel Tower, the Loch
Ness Monster and their signature move, the Hamburger. They are
thinking of adding a few more creative moves such as the Empire
State Building as well.
The performers have taken this talent even farther by making a
“how-to” video titled “Tackle Happy,” which
has become known across the globe.
“It’s sort of refreshing to know that we’ve
inspired men to take on the talent of “˜origami,'”
Friend said. “But it’s also funny to think about
““ perhaps your neighbor or even teacher is a part of this
semi-secret club.”
Much like preparing for a football game or a strenuous marathon,
these performers must do warmups and certain stretches before
performing.
“We do stretches before the performance, just to make sure
we don’t pull a muscle,” Friend said. “Everything
from jogging to warm up our genitalia to groin pulls, but we make
sure to keep the air conditioning on low.”
“It’s definitely something that caught my
eye,” said Kumar Kesaven, a third-year mathematics student.
“I’m a runner, so I do all of the awkward stretches,
but I’ve never thought to stretch that part of my body.
I’m jealous I haven’t discovered the inner origami-ist
in me.”
Even though stretching can take care of some nerves before
showtime, there are still some embarrassing moments that can occur
during the performance. Friend’s favorite embarrassing moment
was when Morley lost his balance during a move and fell onto the
lap of an elderly lady in the audience.
What is also important about this performance is that it is
meant for a varied audience. From mothers and daughters who need a
good laugh to honeymooners who need a good idea and even men who
just need to find one talent, “Puppetry of the Penis,”
is a non-sexual show for every type of person, according to
Friend.
“We guarantee you everything in this show,” Friend
said. “If you’re sitting in the back, we have huge
screens, so there are three-story penises dangling in front of you,
and if you’re bored, we’ll even try to get your opinion
during the show. It’s just good, clean, innocent
fun.”
THEATER: “Puppetry of the Penis” is showing at the
Coronet Theatre, 366 N. La Cienega, Tuesday through Thursday at 8
p.m. and on Friday and Saturday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.
For more info call (310) 657-7377 or go to
www.puppetryofthepenis.com.