Tiny Planet at Little Angel Studio opens with Alma hurtling across the galaxy, delivering cakes to planets throughout the universe. More concerned with speed than quality, she frequently delivers the wrong orders, including a soggy sponge cake to a water planet.

It is an entertaining introduction that quickly establishes both her character and the central concept.

A GPS malfunction sends Alma crashing onto the Tiny Planet, an apparently uninhabited world with no oxygen. After contacting the recovery service, she is informed that help will not arrive for 47 hours. Determined to deliver a wedding cake on time, she resolves to repair her engine herself.

As she attempts to calm herself by listening to Meditation Mike, the Tiny Planet undergoes a remarkable transformation. Clouds gather, rain falls, oxygen appears, and soon, the once-barren landscape is filled with plants, flowers, and birds.

The production never explains why Alma’s arrival sparks this miraculous change, but younger audiences are unlikely to question the magic.

Meanwhile, a giant asteroid hurtles through space towards the Tiny Planet. The growing sense of danger is heightened by the imaginative use of percussion and Foley sound effects, and Alma’s race to avert catastrophe provides an exciting climax that ultimately delivers a satisfying, feel-good ending.

Visually, the production is a mixture of the extraordinary and the unexpectedly modest. Some of the props in the opening scenes feel underwhelming when compared with the ingenuity displayed elsewhere.

Alongside a spectacular rotating sphere that emits light and smoke, the cardboard cut-outs representing Alma’s scooter and planets seem simplistic. The puppets themselves, however, are beautifully crafted and full of personality.

The performers’ skills and commitment remain consistently impressive, although intricate manipulation occasionally results in transitions that appear awkward.

The undisputed visual centrepiece is the Tiny Planet itself, an extraordinary piece of design by Peter Morton. Slowly revolving at centre stage, it gradually reveals hidden details to both Alma and the audience. The performers move around it, creating a world that feels alive and constantly evolving.

Although the show is aimed at children aged five to eleven, I would estimate that most of those attending were under the age of six. The children remained thoroughly engaged throughout, each responding to the production in their own way.

The Little Angel Studio, with its intimate 65-seat capacity, proved to be the ideal venue, fostering a close connection between performers and audience that sustained attention from beginning to end.

The musical score is another highlight. The songs are beautifully written and performed with warmth, while the musicianship throughout is exceptional.

Combining puppetry, an enchanting central set, and strong performances, Tiny Planet is a warm, visually inventive, and highly accomplished production that showcases the very best of children’s theatre.

Four Stars.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner.

Tiny Planet at Litle Angel Studio  28th and 29th July 2026.
Tiny Planet is at Edinburgh Fringe 2026.
Pleasance: King Dome 12:25   5th – 23rd August 2026.

For tickets and more information, see the link below,

https://www.halfastring.co.uk/tour-dates

Director, Designer & Story: Peter Morton
Writer: Louisa Ashton
Song Writer: Avi Simmons
Music: Suitman Jungle
Dramaturg: Emma Willatts
Puppeteers: Emily Essery, Sean Garratt
Musician/Performer: Darcey O’Rourke
Video Design: Boyd Branch
Lighting Design: Claire Childs
Associate Director & Creative Technical Manager: Rori Endersby
Outside Eye: Chris Elwell.