A curious bunny enters a field of flowers to the sound of crickets. The flora sways gently in the breeze as more critters arrive, their twitching noses sniffing at the air, detecting the world around them. It’s a scene of uncomplicated beauty – the first of many – interrupted by the appearance of spectres and accompanying bells. The capricious world of Zizanie, conceived and directed by Meryl Tankard and seen here in its world premiere, is full to bursting with wit and whimsy.

Michael Noble and Kathryn Evans in Zizanie at the Adelaide Festival. Photograph © Regis Lansac

Ball sports, hula hooping and fly swatting all feature in hectic scenes that are underpinned by an order so precise, the serious cultural and environmental messages are seamlessly propelled to the fore. These vignettes remind us of a simpler time before we needed electronic devices to be entertained.

Regis Lansac’s outstanding videography lends much to this tale packed with quirk, gentle humour and heartfelt scenes. Jonathon Oxlade’s layers of set and costuming marry beautifully with animation and live action video to create a rich visual tapestry onto which, the frequently surprising action unfolds.

Zizanie (a French...