By Kat Kanning

Dave Ridley of Manchester performed his version of The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail to an audience of about 30 today. Ridley calls himself the “outlaw puppeteer” to highlight the fact that his performances are done without a license. State law requires that puppet shows for profit be licensed. Dave informed us before the show that the state legislature had the opportunity earlier this year to remove outdated, useless laws, but did not do so.

The show itself was charming, the subject matter very appropriate for today's problems. In the story, Henry David Thoreau refuses to pay the poll tax to pay for the Mexican American war. The part of the government is appropriately played by a vulture. Thoreau is thrown in jail for his disobedience. Dave's rendition of the story was particularly entertaining – with the government urging Thoreau outright to help “kill Mexicans”. In real life they're not that honest.

Unlike Thoreau, no one came today to throw Dave Ridley in jail. Dave says that he will continue to do his illegal shows until he is arrested, or until he earns $1000 from his shows. He charged $2 admission to the show today.

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Video by John Connell

Ridley Report