The weird and wonderful world of prop/ set/ costume sourcing is one that we find particularly enjoyable at Human Zoo.

Because we aim to recycle as many of our materials and props as possible, we can never plan every piece of set down to the last nail... What that means is often we will find something that we hadn't exactly planned on using, that suddenly becomes absolutely integral to our piece of work. It's quite exciting that our ideas don't always just come from our scripts, sometimes a prop can inspire the devising of an entire scene, puppet or movement sequence (Fleur famously did her back in animating a hoover tube whilst we struck our last show. The pain was bad, and she had to sit down with a cup of tea for a while afterwards, but sure enough, the hoover tube has become a firm favourite for one of our puppets for The Hive. Minus the back ache this time round.)

We use Set Exchange to find the theatrical items we need, and boy are there plenty on there for us to have a look at and try to squeeze into our show! (Who wouldn't want Neon Pink paint from The Royal Court, after all?!) but for props and costume it really is a case of keeping our eyes peeled, our noses to the ground and our thinking caps well and truly tied on.

Bits and bobs we are currently looking to recycle/ source include - old hazmat/ boiler suits, gas masks, insulation piping, foam, army boxes, torches, electrical circuit boards, old suitcases, helmets and four spinny office chairs.

[On the extreme off chance you might have any of the above knocking about in your attic, or even something that we haven't remotely planned on using in the show that you fancy us having a look at, do get in touch! info@thehumanzootheatrecompany.co.uk]