Conrad Koch (pronounced Koh-Phlegm) keeps the audience guessing in an hour of puppetry, political commentary and audience participation.

While the humour orbits around Australian polity, the show is infused with South African colloquialisms and commentary which blends beautifully for those that can appreciate both.

Any show that can make my South African parents bellow with laughter is one worth seeing.

Conrad takes puppetry beyond the confines of what we expect – a small character with tiny arms and legs with an incision along their back – to a point where every sketch is made up of entirely different means.

It is pure comedic creativity.

You really feel as though you are watching something that has been dedicated an enormous amount of thought, planning and practice. That in itself makes you feel special to witness it.

When you’re done obsessing over the ingenuity of the puppets themselves, Conrad’s quick wit and crowd work proves that he doesn’t hide behind a puppet to tease and poke fun and his front row. He also takes time to mock himself which is guaranteed to spark true belly laughs.

The show’s pace slows at times and the transitions between personalities could be enriched with stories about how that puppet came to be – the tale of inception of a particular music playing puppet made us appreciate the sketch all the more.

Puppet Guy is a gem to any audience member- young or old, Fringe experienced or not.

If you, your parents, your partner’s parents, your co-worker, your best friend or your neighbour is South African this is one show you absolutely do not want to go past.

Alternatively, anyone with a distain for a particular Lib MP (think uncanny resemblance to Voldemort and a failed attempt to become PM) will find themselves in good company with Mr Koch also.