Chocolate-themed 'headless' couple turn heads at Sharjah Book Fair

A headless chocolate-themed couple is turning heads at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) as they roam through the halls in cocoa-coloured costumes inspired by classic sweets and desserts.

Portuguese performers André dos Santos Vieira and Helena Reis, appearing as Mr Muffin and Madame Cherry, use dance and gentle humour to portray the characters, while leaving visitors wondering: how can they see where they are going?.

That mystery is part of the appeal. The performers said audiences often stop to work out whether the characters are human or robots.

Mr Muffin and Madame Cherry interact with children at the event.

Asked what inspired the chocolate-and-sweets theme, Vieira summed it up simply as the “joy of life”.

Reis described Mr Muffin and Madame Cherry as “a very sweet and happy couple” whose encounters are designed to bring a moment of light-hearted surprise to visitors moving through the fair.

Mary Jane, a visitor from the Philippines, said the act immediately caught her attention. “It’s awesome, and it’s interactive with the kids. It’s a lot of fun,” she added. “I’m curious how they can see us from inside this kind of clothing.”

The couple have an animated 'conversation'.

Jane, a regular SIBF visitor, said it was the first time she had encountered this kind of roaming attraction, although she has attended several other shows at the fair.

Mr Muffin and Madame Cherry are appearing in daily roaming performances during the book fair. They said they will also perform a separate roaming act as a prince and princess inspired by figures from a musical box.

The roaming shows programme runs throughout SIBF’s halls and lobbies, with acts including a whimsical character emerging from a giant storybook, colourful theatrical characters moving through the crowds, and other interactive performances designed to surprise and engage visitors.