Theatre / puppetry
Multi-talented performer and puppeteer Freddie Hayes presents: Potatohead
Freddie Hayes describes her oeuvre as somewhere “hovering between childish puppetry and late night entertainment”.
A performer, costume, prop and puppet maker and puppeteer, she has been creating solo shows and working around the country in the last few years, appearing on comedy, cabaret and festival bills.
Artist in residence at Slung Low Theatre and Associate Artist at Slap York, Hayes is the recipient of the Brighton Fringe Luke Rollason Memorial Bursary Award, the Folkestone Puppet Festival’s Resident Puppeteer fund, and additional support from Arts Council England.
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Potato in a chip shop – photo: courtesy of Freddie Hayes
She is creatively inspired by her love of absurdity, though often harnesses the power of the ridiculous to communicate autobiographical concerns. Hayes’ characters may be bizarre, but she hopes they are relatable, too.
Her latest show Potatohead is touring the UK ahead of an Edinburgh Fringe run, and comes to the Wardrobe Theatre on June 8-9.
Potatohead – photo: courtesy of Freddie Hayes
Featuring an eclectic mix of “puppetry, stand up, physical theatre, film, singing and dancing and plentry of potatoes”, the hour-long solo show, directed by Sh!t Theatre, promises to be a unique adaptation of Christopher Marlowe’s Elizabethan tragedy, Doctor Faustus.
It tells the story of a new potato on the comedy circuit – the humble spud Charlotte – who has lofty dreams of one day making it as a stand up star.
Hayes’ performance style is a blend of kitsch cabaret, theatrical surrealism, and jokes. “It’s an unadulterated celebration of silliness,” she smiles.
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Potatohead is at The Wardrobe Theatre on June 8-9 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at www.thewardrobetheatre.com.
Main photo: Amy D’Agorne
Read more: Joyful, silly, interactive and celebratory: Inside The Wardrobe Theatre
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