FringeReview India 2024
Zig Zags to Earth
V Aarti & Ankit

Genre: Children's Theatre, Family, Puppetry, Theatre
Venue: The Theatre - The Old GMC Complex
Festival: FringeReview India, Serendipity Arts Festival
Low Down
A play that, through the use of shadow puppetry, entertains both adults and children while conveying a profound message: we are not alone in this universe, and adopting a less anthropocentric view of the world can save us from self-destruction by preserving the delicate ecosystem that makes life possible on our planet.
Review
Zig Zags to Earth is a 40-minute shadow puppet play that combines various narrative techniques. The protagonist, Zig, is an alien sent on an intergalactic mission to find a miraculous liquid on Earth that can save his planet. Upon arrival, Zig meets Dr. Anita, a scientist who helps him uncover the nature of this liquid: water.
The two characters embark on a journey around Earth as Dr. Anita explains the hydrological cycle—evaporation from seas, cloud formation, rain, and underground reservoirs. During their exploration, Zig observes how human activity endangers Earth’s freshwater supply. At the end of the journey, Zig decides to seek water for his planet on a nearby asteroid. However, before leaving, he delivers a foreboding message to Dr. Anita: humans have become the greatest threat to their planet. Unless they learn to respect water, they risk extinction, just like Zig’s people.
At the beginning of the play, before we are introduced to Zig’s world, the two puppeteers, V Aarti and Ankit, deliver a short and engaging introduction that captivates both adults and children.
Technically, the play skillfully blends shadow puppetry with the use of an overhead projector. The puppet and slide designs are simple yet evocative, prioritizing emotional resonance over realism. The puppeteers also serve as narrators and actors, lending their voices to Dr. Anita and Zig. Real water is ingeniously incorporated into some scenes, adding a playful and creative dimension.
Children’s plays can be a serious endeavor, and this production delicately delivers a profound message. It invites the audience to move beyond an anthropocentric worldview, fostering a sense of shared kinship with all life on Earth. Captivating children and adults alike for 40 minutes is no easy feat, but Quasar Thakore Padamsee and Sankar Venkateswaran seem to do the trick.
Overall, Zig Zags to Earth is a compelling play with a strong educational message at its heart.