Not quite Avenue Q, and certainly not the Muppets, Australia is about to meet a very funny, frightening and filthy-mouthed sock puppet in Hand to God.
It’s been described as Sesame Street meets The Exorcist, and if you come across Hand to God’s star-act puppet Tyrone, you’ll know why. Since premiering Off-Broadway in 2011, Hand to God has earned five Tony Award nominations, moved to Broadway, the London West End and now makes its Australian debut at Melbourne’s Alex Theatre.
The play centers on Christian ministry puppets, which in itself sets the scene for any number or hilarious and controversial plotlines. Taking place in the conservative Texas town of Cypress, we meet young Jason who has issues with his mother Margery, as well as the local pastor, school bully and girl next door. Still reeling from the death of his father, he joins the local church puppet group and discovers a talent for comedy. However when his hand puppet Tyrone takes on a life form of its own, a frightening and poignant scenario unfolds, bringing faith and morality under the spotlight.
Directed by Gary Abrahams (Angels in America), the cast includes Alison Whyte (Glitch) as Margery, Grant Piro (The Ex PM) as Pastor Greg, Morgana O’Rielly (Neighbours) is Jessica and Jake Speer (Home & Away) plays bully Timothy.
In the lead as Jason, and somewhat in control, or rather not in control, of puppet Tyrone, is AFI and Logie Award winner Gyton Grantley (House Husbands). As one can imagine, taking on such a role can bring about more than the usual challenges faced by an actor, as Grantley explains.
“Switching between the two characters has been incredibly hard,” he says. “Technically I’m not even switching, as both Jason and Tyrone are present at the same time. While Jason is talking Tyrone is reacting. While Tyrone is talking Jason is reacting – and also providing Tyrone’s voice while manipulating the actual puppet! So, there are two brains working simultaneously.”
“I’ve been working with professional puppeteer and director Jacob Williams,” says Grantley. “He’s been an incredible and integral help for developing my skills in bringing Tyrone to life. I learnt a lot by rote (a memorisation technique of repetition), as Tyrone has a whole bag-full of movements, which have slowly become organic. Tyrone is reacting on impulse as if he’s truly alive, and he actually spoke back to the director the other day!”
Considering the puppet is taking possession of a troubled teenager, there is more at play here than just mirth. Themes of anxiety, depression, sex, guilt, alcoholism, religion and death are themes that can poise greater challenges than makeup or stage blocking.
“Delving into the emotional headspace of troubled characters can be very frightening,” says Grantley. “I always try to find similar situations or scenarios in my own life that resonate or match. This can be painful – and yes troublesome – but it can also be quite cathartic. It’s actually an interesting way of addressing trauma in your life, by dealing with it through your art.”
Written by Robert Askins, who describes the story as an expression about honesty and southern regionalism, The New York Times perfectly summed Hand to God up as a black comedy about the divided human soul. And while it definitely makes a social statement about our current world, it manages to bring out that politically incorrect hilarity which could possibly reflect our own hidden demons!
As Grantley points out, Hand to God poses many questions. “It questions religion, and the confines it creates,” he says. “It looks at community and the rules that come with it. It looks at the human spirit and how we can wake up to realise we’ve forgotten or let go of our dreams and desires. It’s deep, but on top of all, is a rollicking romp that will awaken your devil inside!”
Hand to God plays at Melbourne’s Alex Theatre from 22 February. For more visit: handtogod.com.au
