A story about a hopeless romantic who indulges his love for love by DJing weddings sounds like a typical rom com plot. Where Bucket’s List becomes less mainstream romance and more Fringe Fest fitting, is when we learn that the man who preaches romance, also harbours a soft side for the humble bucket. Yes, the unassuming yet uber practical plastic container is more than a portable vessel for Justin Kennedy’s character in Melbourne’s Fringe Festival hit Bucket’s List. Playing the role of a bucket salesman by day, wedding DJ by night, the film was awarded the Tiki Tour Ready award for Kennedy’s heart-breaking yet hilarious performance.
Writer/producer Sarah Collins met the real life bucket salesman/aficionado in a pub, and decided to tell his story of love and buckets via the stage. Performed using voice-over, onstage acting and even puppetry, the tragicomedy is directed by festival favourite, Yvonne Virsik who is responsible for Adam Cass’ I Love You, Bro, and An Air Balloon Across Antarctic for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The show’s score is performed live by Rhys Auteri, who covers everything from tunes in the background to on cue sound effects, especially those made by the puppet of bucket man’s dreams, operated by Jem Nicholas.
If you love puppets, or buckets, or love, you might want to go see what the fuss is about.