Jake Mace
Book of Shadowz and Gumbo’s co-production SHUNGA ALERT is described as an X-rated documentary-comedy about the sexual culture of Japan – the story of an artist, a sex doll and a virtual idol trying to create the sexiest shunga of all time, told with clowning, puppetry and live projection. We caught up with the show’s creators to find out what inspired them to bring that story to Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year, and how they bring the show to life through puppetry and mixed media.
You can catch SHUNGA ALERT from 31st July to 24th August (not the 12th or 19th) at Underbelly Cowgate (Big Belly) from 21:40 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Jake: Hi team! You’re bringing the ‘sexy and hilarious’ Shunga Alert to EdFringe this year – tell us about the main character Mame, his friends, and the journey that they go on.
BoS & G: Our hero Mame is a modern Japanese man and aspiring Ukiyo-e artist. Ukiyo-e is a style of Japanese woodblock printing that began in the Edo period. The most famous example would be “The Great Wave Off Kanagawa” by Hokusai. All the great Ukiyo-e artists in history, including Hokusai also made Shunga. Shunga is an extremely sexually graphic form of Ukiyo-e. Because of its artistic and historical importance, Shunga is the only form of sexual imagery that is allowed in Japan without heavy censorship and/or pixelization.
So, Mame and his friends set out on an adventure to create the world’s sexiest Shunga to save Japan and stop its declining birthrate. Oh, also this is a puppet show with projected Ukiyo-e-style puppets that the cast interact with, Roger Rabbit-style.
Jake: Tell us about what inspired you to create a show about fetish and sexual deviancy, and why you feel it’s important to tell this story now.
BoS & G: It’s always an important time to tell a story about sexual deviancy. But look, the world is in rough shape. And maybe we’re just offering a silly little distraction from that. Or maybe the repression of sexuality and the censorship of art is directly connected to the plans of the soulless billionaire fascists who are destroying this world and we want to open up a discussion for people to talk about sexuality without shame or embarrassment. Or we just like boobies.
The inspiration for Shunga Alert came from a show we made years ago called Oni, which was a shadow puppet show telling sexy Japanese folk tales. We thought it would be fun to make a modern version of that show that takes place in the present.
Jake: Tell us about what the audience can expect coming into the show, and what they might not expect about the show.
BoS & G: Audiences can expect to see extremely explicit artwork, laugh at filthy humor, learn a bit about Japanese culture and have a life-changing cathartic experience.
But what they might not expect is to discover that there is a little sexy Japanese puppet show inside all of us. And if not, would you like some?
Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
BoS & G: Our merch. Also, a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture.
Jake: With Edinburgh Fringe 2025 just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
BoS & G: We’re most excited for the “cultural exchanges” that will occur between Japan, UK and other countries that have shows at the festival. Know what I mean? Wink wink!
Jake: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
BoS & G: The Yamazaki, 18 year old whiskey. Like the show, it’s fruity, spicy, Japanese, and you have to be over 18 to enjoy it.
A reminder, you can catch SHUNGA ALERT from 31st July to 24th August (not the 12th or 19th) at Underbelly Cowgate (Big Belly) from 21:40 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
