Edinburgh Fringe 2025
Low Down
Skilful shadow puppetry tells the story of Space Hippo, original and surprisingly moving.
Review
“Earth is dying. Our only hope is to launch a hippo into space.” With such an eye-catching tag line, we know we are in for an original story for all the family, and this epic sci-fi from Japan is a return to the Fringe from 2022. Space Hippo is the award-winning shadow puppet show by Book of Shadowz from Mochinosha Puppet Company. Using over 200 intricately designed hand-cut puppets, Space Hippo tells the story of a hippopotamus sent into space to save the world from impending doom. Performed by Japanese director/designer Seri Yanai and Canadian writer Daniel Wishes, who are also working with Gumbo on the very adults only Shunga Alert, this surreal and silly production demonstrates intricate shadow puppetry, but also has a strong environmental message at its heart.
Entering wearing hippo masks, the performers make an arresting impression, but they unmask and apologise, they expected the audience to be hippos. After introductions are over, they then proceed to tell us the story of Space Hippo. It’s a complex story, funny and surprisingly emotional. Sending her into space is, initially, designed to distract the world’s population from the fact that Earth is dying, Space Hippo becomes the focus of a campaign. Exploited at the hands of corrupt politicians and used as a pawn by aliens in an intergalactic war, all Space Hippo truly desires is to return home to her baby. There is an incredibly moving sequence when Space Hippo is captured and taken away from her baby, shots of the baby running after the departing truck are beautifully realised, the viewer becomes emotionally invested in the story. Whilst in space, the comedy aliens are very entertaining, and it is highly enjoyable seeing a hippopotamus training to go into space, and then carrying out tasks such as space walking!
The beauty of the production is in the skills of shadow puppetry, timed to perfection on the screen. The story may be a little too complex for younger family members, but it Is tricky for me to assess that as the sold-out performance I attended was mainly full of adults! But it is a funny, thoughtful piece that can provide a welcome distraction from the bustle of the Fringe.
