A Bermudian puppeteer is to host a show on Sunday based on a 1936 futuristic Czech novel about a colony of talking newts that rises up after being cruelly exploited for human gain.

Alex Winfield, who is returning to his native Bermuda from Montreal, Canada, where he now resides, was captivated by the book by author Karel Capek which was imagined under the shadow of rising fascism.

Described as “darkly humorous allegory of early 20th-century Czech politics”, War with the Newts tells the story of a grouchy sea captain who discovers a new species of newt living on an isolated island.

He finds that not only can the newts use tools, they eventually learn to talk and trade.

Seizing opportunity, the captain plays a part in them being sold the world over into free labour. They are assigned all the work the humans do not want to do but a central character, Chief Salamander, leads a movement of resistance.

Mr Winfield told The Royal Gazette: “The novel was written shortly before the catastrophic invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Nazis and is a cautionary tale warning of the dangers of rampant exploitation, the rise of extremism and the horrors that result from treating living beings as objects.

“Karel Capek was a very famous Czech writer and anti-fascist. He passed away a few months before the Nazi invasion and he was number two on their hit list as he was noted for not being a fan of the regime.

“War with the Newts is a book I’ve always loved. There is a certain tantalising ambiguity about it. You can draw your own conclusions about who the newts are and what they are doing, as well as those who are exploiting them.”

Mr Winfield has been into puppetry for as long as he can remember.

He moved to Montreal as it has a thriving puppetry scene — but for many years he has brought his particular brand of the art form to his Bermuda home.

Other works include the puppet opera The Other Side that toured Bermuda schools in 2014, several shows presented at the Chewstick lounge and his giant puppets that featured in the Bermuda Day parades of 2019 and 2024.

“I come back as often as I can, I’m inspired by the island, its nature and history of political activism. It means a lot to me,” he said.

The show was supported by a grant awarded to Mr Winfield by the Bermuda Arts Council in 2024.

He collaborated with Marie-Claude Daoust, a puppeteer and producer, on the main puppet.

Mr Winfield said the show is not ideal for younger children.

He said: “It’s not macabre but it is going to deal with more adult themes such as resistance and exploitation.

“It is probably OK for children aged ten-plus but it depends on the child. It is not grotesque, there is no blood and gore. It’s a puppet show for families as part of their Hallowe’en celebrations.

“I think folks who enjoy slightly unusual fairytales and adventures leading into the surreal will enjoy this show — any fans of Jim Henson and anyone who loves puppetry.”

There are two shows on Sunday starting at 2pm and 6pm at the Bermuda National Library, 13 Queen Street Hamilton. There is a suggested price of $20.