Given the religious impetus of the coming season, it seems more than coincidental that, two weeks running, we’ve covered plays with the word “God” in the title.

The director of Hand to God, Jarrad West, goes some way toward explaining its appeal when he tells why they’ve revived this 2022 hit with a new cast of sinners: “This show is equal parts comedy, chaos, and blasphemy… The Exorcist meets Sesame Street, with more swearing. Perfect for December.”

Set in the American Bible Belt, where fundamentalist congregations sometimes use puppets in their religious teaching, Robert Askins’ decade-old play follows Jason, an awkward teenager whose hand puppet, Tyrone, goes rogue and takes on a life of its own, announcing that it is Satan.

So, it’s hardly surprising that I get more than I had bargained for when I catch up with Michael Cooper, who reprises Jason – and his demonic alter ego, Tyrone. 

Cooper points out that the two beings he plays can be viewed as Jason and his other half, but also as two entirely different characters.

“If Jason were a healthy character who didn’t have to go through the trauma and isolation of his upbringing, he’d probably be much more settled and wouldn’t need to lash out through Tyrone,” he says.

In preparing for the role, Cooper, who is taking his emerging career as an actor very seriously while working by day at the Canberra Theatre box office, keeps in mind that Jason not only has a strong-minded mother, Margery (Amy Kowalczuk), but has also lost his father less than six months earlier.

With Margery deep in her own mourning, Jason needs an outlet – and puppetry becomes his way into a different world.

“I know that when the play was written, puppetry ministries were massively popular in the US, especially in the south, but I’m not sure about Australia,” Cooper says.

The play tackles big questions about family, grief and, quite literally, wrestling with your own demons. Every character, he says, gets a little eye-popping moment. Pastor Greg, played by Lachlan Ruffy, appears bright and supportive but harbours strong feelings for Margery, especially now that she’s vulnerable.

Jessica, the apparently sweet girl in Jason’s life (played by Meaghan Stewart) has a devilish streak too, though Cooper says she may be healthier than many of the others. Her puppet Jolene is part of her coming-of-age journey, asking questions along the way. Jolene may or may not save the day, but no spoilers here.

Timmy, played by Ellington Allington, is the town bully, a bit older than Jason and Jessica, who’s been dumped in the puppet ministry.

Eccentricities aside, for Cooper, the heart of the story is Jason learning to stand up for himself, even against his mother. The climactic showdown between Jason and his other half, Tyrone, seals the deal.

Two things are certain. As Everyman Theatre says: “It’s definitely not for kids, but it is the perfect way to end your year.”

 Hand to God, at ACT Hub Kingston, December 10-20.