Blind Summit Theatre presents The Sex Lives of Puppets by Mark Down and Ben Keaton
“A refreshingly positive message about sharing intimacy, shedding inhibitions, and finding your own joy!”
—The Stage
What do puppets look like naked? And what exactly is no-strings sex? Blind Summit Theatre presents The Sex Lives of Puppets by Mark Down and Ben Keaton as a bold, brilliantly layered theatrical experience that’s as quirky as it is tender. On the surface, it’s a wild, whimsical dive into puppet pleasure, brought to life by their exuberant puppet-masters. But peel back the felt and string, and you’ll discover something deeper: a surprisingly human exploration of desire, vulnerability, and the messy, marvelous business of intimacy.
Blending skilled puppetry with insights from the UK’s National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, this playful collaboration opens a refreshingly honest, joyously uncensored space to talk about sex in all its fascinating forms. Funny, fearless, and unexpectedly moving, The Sex Lives of Puppets is here to liberate your inner puppet—and maybe your heart, too.
Event Details
Content warnings: 16+ parental guidance, strong language
February 12, 2026 | 6 PM
- Runtime: approximately 1 hour, with no intermission
- Additional information: visit our FAQ page
- Late seating policy: limited late seating available
February 13 & 14, 2026 | 8 PM
- Runtime: approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, including intermission
- Intermission: 15 minutes
- Additional information: Visit our FAQ page.
- Late seating policy: limited late seating available
Ticket & Discount Information
Tickets available starting at $29. Student tickets always $11. Eligible for CLE Credit.
Discount Information
We offer several discounts for CPA series performances only. Partner and rental events are not eligible.
Important Notes:
- Discounts must be applied at the time of purchase and cannot be added retroactively.
- Only one discount can be used per order.
- We reserve the right to cancel tickets that do not follow these guidelines
Available Discounts:
Military & First Responders
- Discount: 15% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- How to redeem: Use promo code SERVICE2526 online or call our box office
Seniors (65+)
- Discount: 15% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- ID Required: Yes
- How to redeem: Use promo code SENIOR2526 online or call our box office
UNC-Chapel Hill Faculty & Staff
- Discount: 25% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC One Card)
- How to redeem:
- Current faculty/staff: Use promo code UNCFS2526
- Retired faculty/staff: Use promo code UNCRET2526
UNC Health Staff
- Discount: 25% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Health ID)
- How to redeem: Use promo code UNCFS2526 online or call our box office
UNC-Chapel Hill Students
- Discount: $11 tickets (Zones 3, 4, and 5)
- Limit: 2 tickets per student, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Student ID)
- How to redeem: Use promo code UNCST2526 online and select price type “UNC Student,” or call our box office
Non-UNC Students (K-College, Statewide)
- Discount: $11 tickets (Zones 3, 4, and 5)
- Limit: 2 tickets per student, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Student ID)
- How to redeem: Use promo code UNCST2526 online and select price type “UNC Student,” or call our box office
Carolina Alumni Members
- Discount: 15% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per order
- How to redeem: Use promo code GAA2526 online or call our box office
Watch our video on applying discount codes when checking out!
Visit our FAQ page for more details.
Why We’re Presenting This
At Carolina Performing Arts, we’ve seen how the most unexpected performances can be the most moving. The Sex Lives of Puppets is part of our commitment to presenting bold, genre-defying work that expands how we see the world—and each other.
It’s weird. It’s wild. It’s a burst of unfiltered expression that disrupts the everyday and invites us to experience something completely new, together.
“In a moment when many people are searching for relief and laughter, Sex Lives of Puppets delivers—with artistry, intelligence, and delightfully unhinged imagination.” – Amy Kolling, senior director of artistic and production for CPA
About the COMPANY
Blind Summit Theatre is known worldwide for its innovative puppet design, razor-sharp writing, and unexpectedly emotional performances. They’ve performed at the National Theatre, in stadium shows with Damon Albarn, and on the opening night of the Beijing Olympics.
For more information about the Company, please visit blindsummit.com.
Credits
Idea: Mark Down
Written and directed: Mark Down and Ben Keaton
Lighting: James Mckenzie
Design: Mark Down
Puppet Design: Mark Down and Russell Dean
Puppets made by: Russell Dean, Helen Foan, Nick Barnes, Fiona Clift, Natasha Burns, Rachel Salenius, Charlina Lucas
Costume Design: Mark Down and Charlina Lucas
Touring technical manager: Fergus Carver
Puppeteers – Mark Down, Isobel Griffiths, Dale Wylde, and Elliot Liburd
Go further
Want to peek behind the curtain? Dive deeper into the world of Blind Summit Theatre and their wild, ingenious approach to puppetry.
Learn:
Puppet Tips with Blind Summit Theatre
Go inside the mind of Blind Summit’s team to learn everything and anything about puppetry!
Watch:
Meet Moses, a cantankerous cardboard puppet with a philosophical streak in this breakout hit that defined the company’s irreverent style.
Want to see more performances?
Check out the full lineup for the 2025-2026 CPA Season, and discover more incredible shows!