London is often dubbed a concrete jungle, and this June, it will live up to the name in the most unforgettable way. From 27 to 29 June, a parade of life-sized animal puppets will “stampede” across Tower Bridge and into the heart of the capital as part of The Herds, an ambitious public art project by The Walk Productions.
Crafted from recycled and upscaled materials like cardboard and plywood, these towering elephants, giraffes, antelope, lions, and even gorillas aren’t just for show. They carry a powerful message. The creatures are portrayed as fleeing climate catastrophe, turning the streets of London into a dramatic reminder of the environmental crises facing wildlife across the globe.
Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zuabi explains, “Through the beauty and ferocity of these life-size creatures, we aim to spark dialogue, provoke thought, encourage engagement and inspire real change.”
Puppeteered in the style of War Horse, the animals began their journey in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and have since crossed cities like Lagos, Dakar, Marrakesh, Casablanca and Rabat. London is their next stop before they continue on to Manchester, Scandinavia and finally Trondheim, Norway, marking the end of a 20,000-kilometre journey from Central Africa to the Arctic Circle.
Expect a grand entrance. On Friday 27 June, the procession charges across Tower Bridge before roaming through Soho, the Strand and into Somerset House. Along the route, audiences can enjoy performances, readings and live music, including a show by the Royal Opera and an appearance from the cast of Matilda The Musical.
One highlight is a powerful dance piece choreographed by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Alesandra Seutin, in which dancers will collide with the animal puppets on a route from Westfield Stratford City to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. A staged “hunt” is also set to unfold dramatically along Camden High Street.
As The Herds travels, it evolves by picking up native animal puppets from different regions, such as vervet monkeys in Nigeria, wolves and red deer in Europe and reindeer in Norway.
This is not just street theatre. It is an urgent, creative call to action for the planet. Miss it, and you miss a moment where art, climate awareness and spectacle come together in a way only London can host.