I never thought I could be so charmed by a centipede. In fact charmed is really the word I would use to some up the experience of witnessing this miniature theatre by Half a String. Breath did indeed feel like a huge exhale amount the hectic rush of Edinburgh in August. The show consists of tiny puppets showing the story of our forest ecosystem as it changed through the seasons – made visible through the use of cameras getting up close to live stream onto a screen about the stage. Interspersed there are beautiful songs, used for both interludes and storytelling. This music has a primarily folk feel to it but is equally fresh and contemporary with driving electronic drums which keep the momentum.
Truly beautiful and immensely impressive
Technology plays a very important part in this piece. The camera angles made the world feel so intimate as well as providing clever effect opportunities where frames could be looped and repeated to build on top of each other. This looping effect was also used in the sound to build highly dynamic layers of live guitar, lilting vocals led by Darcey O'Rourke and sound effects.
Although the show is not specifically listed as a family show the presenting style is very much geared towards children, with a level of enthusiasm that occasionally comes across as not fully earnest and slightly at odds with the calm reflective styles of the music, design and story. The exaggerated facial expressions of the performers and Ceebeebies style dialogue could be accused of patronising the audience. For young children who this style would appeal to the rest of the show runs the risk of not holding their attention. However the overall experience is well worth looking past a bit of cheese.
Something both adults and children would share wonderment in is the immaculately detailed design. There are a series of roll-on sets of these tiny worlds getting us up close with the microcosms of forest floors or the inside of a tree. It is truly beautiful and immensely impressive. The skill that has gone into creating these is on another level. The same goes for the gorgeous puppets of the forest's characters. The show's protagonist is a part acorn, part human puppet who, despite being the size of a hand, channels so much emotion and instantly wins over the audience.
This show is something special inviting us all to marvel at the magic of the miniature all around us.
