Who can resist the universal appeal of puppets, with their ability not only to make people laugh, but to educate and make political comment often in an acerbic and subversive manner. Known to man since earliest times, different cultures have evolved different forms of puppetry, although Ireland seems to have missed out on this engaging theatrical form.
However, the Lambert Puppet Theatre, in association with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, aims to remedy this with the International Puppet Festival which runs from today until September 19th. The main programme, at the Lambert Puppet Theatre, (see listings) features puppeteers from Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Britain and Venezuela with free performances (weather permitting) on Dun Laoghaire East Pier tomorrow and throughout the week in various shopping centres. So, sample this feast of puppetry and discover why this performance medium is not only the preserve of children. For information, phone (01) 2801863.