Breathe

Pleasance Dome

Breathe was the first show I saw this fringe and I can already tell it is going to be one of my top picks!

This show is stunning on so many levels. The story is beautifully executed through a range of different mediums- puppets, music, magical set design, media and poetry. It taught me and my son so much about how the woodland talks to each other and changes throughout the seasons and took us all on a journey of discovery with a little acorn friend by our side. The puppetry itself was more innovative than anything I have seen before and the story captured the hearts and imagination of everyone there.

I was surprised that there were so few children in the audience, but the performance really isn’t just a show for children and appeals to all ages. Breathe is billed for ages 5 plus which I think is spot on. My 6 year old was transfixed the entire time and we even ended up buying the book and listening to the soundtrack the whole way home. It is a very gentle show though (broken up with some very catching thumping music at times) and so children any younger than 5 may find it a little long.

Escape the craziness of the fringe and just Breathe by adding this delightful show to your list!

My mini-reviewer said : “I loved the acorn and my favourite bit was when he flew on a leaf through the audience. The show made me feel happy. There was one sad bit about a leaf, but that’s just nature”

(Written by Emma May)