one4review | On 17, Aug 2024

I agree with the lifeguard in the show: the show, and the issues it addresses would be much easier if there was a clear message, and a clear action we could be pointed towards. But the issues the show addresses – those related to climate change – are complicated, and so are people, and it is all a bit of a mess. This show is a creative response to the issues, and it explores them and offers nuanced commentary without leaving the audience feeling too doom-spirally. This is in itself a significant achievement.

The narrative vehicle for exploring the issues is Thor, a walrus who wants to know where the clams and other food sources have gone. His wailing to his mum, and her upset at not being able to provide sufficient food does tug the heartstrings a bit, especially because there’s nothing to be done that would immediately help. Thor travels south in search of answers, his journey reported by two climate change news presenters whose jobs are funded by an oil company.

The show does a lovely job of exploring the approaches to climate change, from the activist devoting their whole life to it, to the people trying their best in their own way, to those trying to ignore it entirely. These individuals aren’t criticised or lauded, and the show is remarkably balanced, and sympathetic to them. Not so much large the corporations, or individuals with huge wealth, influence or power, who are subjected to subtle but erosive questioning.

Overall the show is good: it’s well performed, is irreverent where appropriate, tells the story well and has some genuinely funny bits. I could imagine it having a very successful second life touring schools and opening up conversations about climate change with young people. This is one for thinking about as well as laughing at.

Reiviewed by Laura

Zoo Playground
20:15
Until 25th