The Chimerical Ballad of Betsy Bell and Mary Gray

“The Chimerical Ballad of Betsy Bell and Mary Gray” is a captivating puppet play that intertwines the historical folk tale of Bessie Bell and Mary Gray with contemporary themes of technology and survival. Set in a world besieged by resource-consuming intelligent machines, the story follows two young women as they navigate a surveilled forest and join forces with a three-headed beast to combat the destructive WISER® system, which threatens all life on Earth. Drawing inspiration from the legends of the women who became iconic figures in Scottish folklore due to their tragic fate during a 1645 plague, the performance raises poignant questions about humanity’s ability to endure its own technological crises. Created and directed by Walter Pultz, the production features puppets by Claire Josefson, shadow puppets by Nat Slater, and music and sound design by Maria Leckey, with performances by Josefson, Rob Cantrell, and Brooke Crittenden, assisted by rehearsal assistant Hannah Pennington.