As we meet townsfolk, including a brothel madam (Derbhle Crotty) and two of her girls (Lisa Kelly and Kate Finegan), a puppet Petya and a gun-toting puppet soldier (elsewhere, soldiers are played by Dylan Tonge Jones), it becomes impossible not to care about their fate. The sight of puppets drawn limp and lifeless into the air during the fighting is both shocking and affecting. Whether you hear, see or experience all aspects of this show, Deaf Republic will remain with you long after curtains.
By Judi Herman
Photos by Johan Persson
Deaf Republic runs until Saturday 13 September. 7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu only), 1.30pm & 6.30pm (Sat only). £15-£64. Royal Court Theatre, SW1W 8AS. royalcourttheatre.com
Then at Dublin Theatre Festival Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 October. 7.30pm, 2.30pm (Sat only), 1.30pm & 6.30pm (Sun only). €28-€35. Samuel Beckett Theatre, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D2, Ireland. dublintheatrefestival.ie
