Perverse puppetry at Barbican

Published: 4:58 PM March 17, 2009 Updated: 8:13 AM October 14, 2020

INTERNATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED puppeteer Ronnie Burkett makes his fifth visit to the Barbican with his latest show Billy Twinkle, Requiem for a Golden Boy starting tomorrow (Wednesday). Billy Twinkle is a middle-aged cruise ship puppeteer who dazzles audiences

INTERNATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED puppeteer Ronnie Burkett makes his fifth visit to the Barbican with his latest show Billy Twinkle, Requiem for a Golden Boy starting tomorrow (Wednesday).

Billy Twinkle is a middle-aged cruise ship puppeteer who dazzles audiences with his 'Stars in Miniature' marionette nightclub act.

The show follows Billy who the best in the business and on top of the world as he floats through life, until he is fired.

Standing at the edge of the ship contemplating a watery demise, Billy is abruptly called back to reality when his dead mentor appears as a hand puppet and forces him to re-enact his life as a puppet show in order to rekindle the passion he once had for puppets, people and a glamorous life.

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Recognised as one of the world's foremost theatre artists, Ronnie Burkett has been captivated by puppetry since the age of seven and began touring his puppet shows at the age of fourteen.

Billy Twinkle, Requiem for a Golden Boy will be performed at the Barbican's Silk Street Theatre from Wednesday, March 18-Saturday, March 28 with performances at 7.45pm.