The People's Rock at VAULT Festival 2018: Meet the puppets!

Puppets? Check. Music? Check. Dystopian US landscape with a childish dictator who shall remain nameless? Check! This is the debut musical from Nevertheless She, The People’s Rock, the story of a young woman inspired by her (and our) hero, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, albeit a puppet version. With that in mind, we asked the Nevertheless She team: if they had a puppet alter ego, what would they be called and why?

“If I had a puppet alter ego, her name would be Urma Neversmile. She is a hardcore drummer and has a large collection of pet snakes. Her favourite food is tofurky jerky.”

Francesca Mintowt, performing in the role of Tee

“Egg. She’d be a small, green Welsh dragon. She’d live in my temperamental boiler and keep it going even when the water pressure goes down. She’d be a whizz at making toast with her fiery breath.”

Emma Shaw, co-writer/co-producer

“I actually already have a puppet alter ego called Foolish dreemer (two Es are on purpose… his decision, not mine). The name was produced from the Wutang clan name generator. He raps and is a lot cooler than I am.”

John McEwan-Whyte, performing in the roles of Seth/Fairy Rock Mother

“I don’t know about names but it would definitely be small and fluffy and burst into song at inappropriate moments.”

Tilly Lunken, co-writer/co-producer

“Mrs Powerhouse – she’d have the energy to clean the house that I lack.”

Jiggy Bhore, performing in the roles of Nana/Mill

“She would be called Ceaseless and would say everything I think but am not brave enough to say out loud. She would make a lot of noise.”

Ceci Mazzarella, co-writer/co-producer

“Probably Brian or something. My girlfriend’s the puppet-maker and she finds boring names funny.”

Hedley Knights, Sound Engineer/Composer

“I’m so bad at names…Cat Diva? Because I like cats and can be a diva (…in a good way).”

Sophie Benefer, Director/co-producer/contributing writer

Meet the man of the hour – or should that be puppet of the hour? – before the show in our star interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKBlvg6G8vw