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A vast herd of life-size puppet animals travel from the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle, fleeing the effects of climate change.

Following their project The Walk with Little Amal, in which a 13-foot puppet visited 17 countries to draw attention to the vast numbers of children fleeing war, violence, and persecution, former artistic director of the Young Vic David Lan and celebrated Palestinian theatre director Amir Nizar Zuabi have created a new global project: The Herds. Concerned with raising awareness of climate change, it’s inspired by the notion that animals are the first to sense environmental disaster and respond alarmingly.

International artists, arts organisations, and educational institutions united across Africa and Europe between April and August 2025 to present The Herds in cities in 18 countries. The animals, designed in Cape Town by the Ukwanda Puppet Collective and replicated by partners along the route, reflect the countries through which they passed. 

The 42 company puppeteers come from 19 countries, including Australia, Russia, France, the UK, Canada, Norway, Nigeria, Chile, Greece and China. In each city, local volunteers join The Herds for a few days and are trained as puppeteers. 

We catch up with The Herds on the streets of Venice, Paris, London and Manchester.

Location sound and post production by Giovanni Sipiano.
Original music by Kling Klang Klong and Co and Miiqo Studios, Berlin.
Presented and produced by Roger James Elsgood.

An Art and Adventure audio production.

Image: The Herds in Paris (Credit: David Levene)