Niccoló Machiavelli’s slim volume for how to achieve and maintain political power is given new life in the hands of his Great-great-great-great (you get the idea) Grandson, Bruno Machiavelli. The show focuses on the exploits of a particularly corrupt papal dynasty (the Borgias) which was a primary object of Machiavelli’s study.  By adapting the how-to manual as a Punch-and-Judy-style puppet show, the political nature of that ‘kiddie-show’ tradition is highlighted, as are the timeless messages inherent in Machiavelli’s work.  All the traditional elements of a Punch and Judy show are present, including:  a wife, the Devil (sort of), a deadly reptile, and a big stick.  This is a true story--true to history, true to Machiavelli.  Except that in the end, the Italians win.