The Chimerical Ballad of Betsy Bell and Mary Gray

**The Chimerical Ballad of Betsy Bell and Mary Gray** is a captivating puppet play that weaves together a timeless folk legend and modern-day challenges. Set in a world besieged by resource-guzzling intelligent machines, the narrative follows two young women, Betsy and Mary, who must navigate a surveilled forest while aiding a three-headed beast in its quest to thwart the destructive WISER® technology threatening the planet. This adaptation draws inspiration from the true story of Bessie Bell and Mary Gray, who, in their attempt to escape a 1645 plague, became emblematic figures in Scottish folklore. Their tragic fate, found in each other’s embrace, resonates with the Scots-Irish community of Staunton, where their names grace a pair of mountains. Created and directed by Walter Pultz, with puppets by Claire Josefson, shadow puppets by Nat Slater, and music by Maria Leckey, this production poses critical questions about humanity’s survival amidst our own technological crises. Featuring performances by Josefson, Rob Cantrell, and Brooke Crittenden, with rehearsal assistance from Hannah Pennington, this play invites audiences to reflect on the intersection of myth and modernity.