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Unhinged puppetry for adults and older children from Marc Parrett and The OBJECT Project, makers of Pixiematosis


Somewhere out there, in the murky no-man’s-land between reality and ‘are you pulling my leg?’ there’s a mechanical island inhabited entirely by dads. Bodged together out of mangled metal and broken dreams, dad island is a flawed coping mechanism that barely manages to hold itself together. Then one stormy night, a tiny barnacle encrusted bottle floats into the harbour with a crumpled note inside which reads, ‘remember me?’

The Ballad of the Underwater Daughter is a strange sort of odyssey. A woozy universe of messy minds and monstrously fishy metaphors. Overloaded with puppets, props and machines, it is unquestionably the latest production from Leeds’ own The OBJECT Project (the company that may or may not have traumatised you with Pixiematosis).

“There is a lot of love in this show. Surprises delightful and traumatic. Laughter and horror. I highly recommend it.”
Audience Reaction on Pixiematosis

“We absolutely absolutely loved this show! The whole universe was in the room and we were captivated from beginning to end.”
Audience Reaction on Pixiematosis

“Such an incredible show! I’m still digesting it.”
Audience Reaction on Pixiematosis

Written and designed by Marc Parrett
Additional material provided by Tash Hudson
Rehearsal director Frances Merriman

The OBJECT Project is based in Leeds and is curated by former Bristol resident, Mr Marc Parrett. Marc is a puppetry director, designer, performer and maker. He also lectures in puppet manipulation and object theatre. Marc has performed across the UK, Europe and Australia and has previously created puppets and directed puppetry for Aardman Animations, BBC3, Leeds Playhouse, Green Ginger, Egg Theatre Bath, Theatre by the Lake Keswick, Bird in the Hand, Bristol Old Vic, Travelling Light and Sally Cookson.

  • Dates: Thu 2nd May 2024
  • Show time: 7.30pm
  • Tickets: £12 (£10 conc.)
  • Running Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (no interval) + 30 minute post-show exhibition
  • Suitable for: Ages 14+ (contains very strong language and exploding dads)
  • Theatre
  • Connect with the artist:

The Ballad of the Underwater Daughter
The Ballad of the Underwater Daughter
  • Running Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (no interval) + 30 minute post-show exhibition
  • Suitable for: Ages 14+ (contains very strong language and exploding dads)
  • Connect with the artist:

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