Kismat Walla

by Thingumajig Theatre

Puppetry

An image of two male South Asian performers stood in front of a wooden cart with bunting and a blue sky background.

Set around a vibrant cart capturing the bustling atmosphere of a South Asian street market, Thingumajig Theatre’s “Kismat Walla” is a 30-minute, two-person puppet play. Our charismatic story tellers invite you on the journey of a young man in search of his destiny. What will be his kismat?

An image of two male performers holding onto a statue of a female holy figure that is clutching onto a baby doll.

An image of two male dancers holding onto a puppet model train.

An image of two male South Asian performers stood in front of a wooden cart with bunting in the background.

About Thingumajig Theatre

Thingumajig Theatre creates and performs innovative puppet shows and interactive giant puppet street acts. Based in West Yorkshire, their puppets have played throughout the UK and 17 other countries. Thingumajig currently has 8 shows/walkabouts that tour year round, including ‘Ghost Caribou’ which was created in 2018 with Without Walls Blueprint support, and ‘A la Puppet Carte’ which was a part of the 2023 Without Walls Programme.

Creation and Production Credits

Kismat Walla is the first major production led by emerging outdoor artist and Thingumajig Core Artist Reyyan Hammad.

Performed by Reyyan Hammad and Akash Heer (or Thomas Byrne)
Written by Kathy and Andrew Kim
Designed by Reyyan Hammad
Puppets and sets by Reyyan Hammad, Andrew and Kathy Kim
Directed by Andrew Kim
Puppet Direction by Mark Whitaker
Music by Kathy Kim with drumming by Nirmal Chohan
Choreography by Vidya Patel
Puppet costumes and set fabrics by Kathy Kim with Nadia Tahari
Chitrakathi (story scroll) painting by Govi Asano

Devised at 101 Outdoor Arts by Reyyan Hammad, Akash Heer, Kathy and Andrew Kim, Vidya Patel and Mark Whitaker.

Funding, commissioning and partner credits:

“Kismat Walla” was created with the support of Without Walls UK and commissioned by Birmingham Weekender, Inspirate, Freedom Festival Hull, Stockton International Riverside Festival and Brighton Festival.