If you would like to leave a show feeling happy and hopeful this fringe, then I would strongly recommend placing Tiny Planet by Half a String straight into your schedule. It is created with 5-11 year olds in mind but is a production that will entrance any age.
The story follows Alma, a haphazard space baker struggling to make her deliveries, crash landing on the tiny planet. The planet is present as we enter the room. As the show progresses, it shifts and changes, its secrets revealed slowly and with perfect timing. This keeps the audience curious and hooked on finding out what may be next to appear.
Folk songs with soaring vocals from Darcy O’Rourke fill the room to tell us the story of the planet and its visitor. The sound design is active and engaged, created live on stage it responds to the story and creates shifting, expansive atmospheres. They are not afraid of letting the music take over the room so that the audience can feel it and become immersed in the world of the planet.
Alma, voiced charismatically by Emily Essary, and the planet are brought to life through puppetry. The puppeteers work brilliantly as an ensemble to bring personality and humour to the performance. It is detailed and emotive and pulls the audience into the bond being made between Alma and her new world. The live camera feed allows us to see moments that would otherwise remain hidden, and it is used purposefully to support the story.
The performers are relaxed and confident and enjoying themselves. Peter Morton provides endearing characterisations of the different planets, with some lovely moments of gentle clowning peppered throughout.
Tiny Planet is a show full of joy and discovery. Created and performed with skill, it provides a timely reminder that if we look after our planet, it will take care of us too.
Reviewed by Megan Purdie.
@seenbypurdie
Five Stars.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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