We would like to thank Kurt Refling for the digital copy of Sock Puppets that allowed us to write this review.
At this link you will find the relevant Kickstarter, in which you can participate with a contribution of around 6 euros for the digital copy, 14 euros (+shipment) for a physical copy, the audiobook and all digital content (English only). There are other options available, look for the one that suits you best!
Are you ready to talk with a sock stuck in your hand? We will not judge you! But how can we characterise our puppet? We must consider both the puppeteer and the puppet.
Let the Curtain Open!
As far as the puppeteer is concerned, we have two basic characteristics to choose from: personal goals and relationships with other puppeteers.
In the manual we find a good selection of goals that we can set ourselves. Among them we find, for example, earning as much money as possible by sneakily inserting commercial content, dealing with religious ideologies to convert others, trying to make one’s pet the star of the show. These are, of course, just examples: you can easily insert whatever you think will wreak havoc on the show.
Even in the case of relationships, we can take our cue from the pages of Sock Puppets. Whether you are in love with one of your colleagues, consider him your worst enemy or have been friends for a long time, surely your choice will influence what will be your unprofessional behaviour.
Review of Sock Puppets: Choosing Our Puppet
As far as the puppets are concerned, however, we will find the tracks of seven characters already built for us.
We can choose between Olly (the child with a passion for skateboards), Kindly (the wise old man), Bumpo (the monster with a heart of gold), Pip (the curious child), Elsen (Pip’s best friend), Large Bean (who always gets into trouble) and The Eye (the detective). The information we have about them is only what I have just mentioned. There are no drawings of them nor any other particular hints. You can indulge yourselves as you see fit! In my opinion, after the first few break-in sessions, you can create characters of your own. Make way for your imagination!
How Does the Show Unfold?
Sock Puppets takes its structure precisely from a children’s television programme.
With the help of a timer, we will divide our puppets’ forays into 12-minute sessions, for a total of 3 sketches plus an epilogue of equal length. We will have 2 publicity moments of 2 minutes each in which the puppeteers can step out of character and talk to each other about what has just happened on the screen. Then elect a person among yourselves to keep an eye on the timing. If your session is being held online, it would be a good thing if the player’s face during the time you are on air is not visible. This is because in a real show only the puppet would be framed.
This role-playing game does not use dice or other tools for solving trials. With a totally narrative approach that can be compared to a theatre show, you will experience the events transported by the emotions of the moment.
Review of Sock Puppets: Topics to Be Covered
Each episode deals with a different topic.
Before you start, discuss the topic your episode will focus on. There are a few available to you in the manual, such as A New Toy, The First Day at School and The Pajama Party.
Each of them will also have a less important but equally included sub-topic. For example, with The Pajama Party we will also talk about all the wacky snacks we like.
How to carry on for a good 48 minutes even the topics that seem most trivial to us? In this too, Sock Puppets comes to our aid with some important tips. Like any self-respecting good children’s show, you can use some moments to introduce songs or read out letters from young listeners, for example.
Conclusions
Sock Puppets is a roleplaying game that lends itself very well to misunderstandings, feuds and moments of absolute hilarity.
The fact, then, that it is designed for adults but there are also some optional rules to include children in a session indicates a special care in integrating everyone at the table.
The graphics by Kurt Refling himself and the drawings by Xan Farley are of disarming simplicity, intended to remind us of the creations of the little ones and thus in perfect communion with the show.
For those who haven’t, I suggest watching the TV show Kidding with Jim Carrey, which deals precisely with the subject of a puppeteer who tends to bring to the screen what his producer would not want. Who knows, maybe it will inspire your play.
The product is therefore highly recommended and all that remains for me to do is to wish you good entertainment.
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