TYRANNOSAURUS SEX
By Philip Millar and Derek Rowe
Tyrannosaurus Sex is a warm and funny puppet musical about the hopes and dreams of a penis called Bob.
Bob is average size, just like 90% of the male population, but sadly he measures himself against impossible media stereotypes. Consequently, his self-esteem is fragile.
In his imagination Bob floats, dream-like, in a world of sensuous abandon, but in reality it's just him with a beer in front of the telly.
Late night monster movies hint at nightmare scenarios of desire gone mad, a rampaging id fantasy of size and power, both scary and appealing to a tentative ego like Bob.
Hosting a late-night advertorial show is the evil Mr Bumshark, a predatory arsehole, manipulating Bob's self-doubt.
"Bob, it's all about size, swallow the lies.
One extra inch will change your life."
From exotic devices to dubious surgery, Bob is attracted to Bumshark's solutions where only appearances matter.
"So come on if you're watching at home
You can order now on the phone
You can kiss goodbye to failure
With enormous genitalia."
Drawn into an unreal TV world, Bob must confront his darker impulses, manifested in the Phallosaurus, a monster fuelled by lust, dinosaur DNA and testosterone. Only by overcoming this beast can Bob take responsibility for himself.
The finale, a stirring anthem Every Penis Has a Brain, is Bob's celebration of his reconciliation with the rest of his body.
"You may think the way we act
Is something nature can't explain
But don't forget one simple fact
Every penis has a brain."
The puppetry ranges from small, intimate tabletop moments to full size mutant mayhem. Rod puppets, shadows, strange devices and a large suit puppet offer a diverse and stimulating spectacle.
The songs include delicate introspective ballads (Hiding in me), techno- funk (Tyrannosaurus sex), meaty heavy metal (SNAGS on the Barbie) and catchy sing-alongs (Size matters).
Tyrannosaurus blends ridiculous drama, sublime music and hilarious puppetry.