Puns en Doedie - 'Puppets Against Apartheid'

'Puns en Doedie' began performing in the streets of Cape Town in 1981. It was the natural outcome of years of pent-up political frustrations caused by an Apartheid government in South Africa that disallowed any political dissent.

Puns, a Cape-Coloured character of note, began his life as a sewerage department worker until his promotion to Member of Parliament. His wife, Doedie, was a flower-seller on Cape Town's Grand Parade, who ruled the nest. 'Puns en Doedie' soon spread throughout South Africa, and was later invited to tour Europe in 1987.

A R T I C L E S      click to see the full article Dale Lautenbach at Grahamstown Festival, The Argus, South Africa, July 1984

"Puppeteer Gary Friedman manipulates all the famous politicians: Archbishop Tutu; President Reagan; Mrs Thatcher and of course President PW Botha. 'Puns en Doedie' recently performed to large audiences in Covent Garden, London in a festival celebrating the 325th anniversary of Punch and Judy."   click to see the full article The Argus, South Africa, 28 July 1987

"Friedman plays with a dynamic energy. It is a natural outcome that all the voices, noises and movements come from one single person. His show is undeniably political and extremely humorous."   click to see the full article Lieke Van Duin, Trouw, The Netherlands, 1 August 1987