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LAT Children’s Puppet Festival
A brilliantly fun conversation about conservation, told through puppetry, that entertains, educates and empowers its young audience.Summary
Rating
Excellent
It’s not that easy to bring a sanctuary full of creatures needing care to the theatre, so Scarlet Oak theatre have very kindly selected a handful of animal to visit the Little Angel in The Zoo That Comes to You.
Within moments, it’s clear that we’re in safe hands as Jasmine Orchard and Lucia d’Inverno infuse the room with joyful music, silliness and fabulous puppetry. Splendidly synchronised, they sing, play instruments and introduce the first of a number of endangered creatures that they’ve brought along for us to meet and discuss. Indeed, this is very much a show where children are encouraged to be an active part of the conversation. Early on we’re asked if we love animals, and all our hands go up. Of course we do! And that’s ideal, as these creatures all need our help, because humans are causing them problems.
First up is Keith the Kea, who is a cheeky bird, native to New Zealand. He’s clever and a bit naughty, – especially when he and an eager volunteer from the audience engage in magic tricks – and the kids can’t help but love him. It’s all the more impactful therefore when we’re told there are only a few thousand kea left on the planet, and they are increasingly in conflict with humans as environmental needs overlap.
Other friends who take to the stage are an outrageously theatrical blue iguana, whose species, we learn, has been dragged back from the brink of extinction. Sadly, the audience are fully aware what that word means. We also meet a gorgeous baby orangutan who loves to play on her climbing frame, but has been left orphaned due to deforestation from the palm oil industry. Then an exuberant baby southern white rhino who plays hide and seek with us is apparently one of the lucky ones, because if he were a northern white rhino he’d be one of only two – yes TWO – left in existence. The numbers are shocking. Even a lucky turtle we see released into the wild has to compete with plastic pollution in the ocean.
The lively puppets are absolutely brilliant, beautifully made by Marc Parrett and sensitively manipulated so they capture the distinctive characteristics and movements of the animals. Their delightful, emotionally engaging personalities let the audience connect with and understand the fragility of their life experiences. At times they cause a rollercoaster of emotions, shifting from laugh out loud comedy with slapstick hijinks to deeply moving and personal revelations, such as when we learn of the orangutan’s loss.
The tone of the show is perfect, entertaining but educational, and it’s refreshing to hear the audience of 5-11 year olds addressed intelligently on difficult topics, without being patronised. They are invited to share space with the animals and their problems, equipping them to consider small behavioural changes post-show that will actually make a difference; encouraged to look out for logos of sustainable palm oil or environmentally-managed paper, which might affect their family’s choices when shopping and direct support where it’s needed.
These are big subjects indeed, but couched in great fun that has the audience clapping, cheering and singing, then buzzing to meet the characters outside the theatre at the end of the show. It’s a brilliantly engaging production that effortlessly offers upbeat entertainment alongside easy education. And also a tangible sense of possibility that we can all make change if we try.
Puppetry design and directed by: Marc Parrett
Composed by: Sam Welch
Produced by Scarlet Oak Theatre
The Zoo That Comes to You is aimed at ages 5-11 and runs at the Little Angel Theatre until 22 August. Details and how to book can be found here.
