There is something quietly effective about the SeedHeart showing at Pleasance Courtyard. We meet Grey, a small puppet trapped inside a glass jar with no memory of how he got there. The story then returns to the beginning, where a bird drops a seed that grows into a beautiful tree. Grey begins to care for it. The show explores nature, nurture, and the impact humans have on the world around them.

As the story develops, trees are felled, houses and factories appear, and pollution changes Grey’s once-simple surroundings. The environmental message is clear, but it never feels overly direct. Indigo Moon Theatre combines puppetry, shadow play and pop-up scenes with music, and sound effects to tell the story. The result works well for children whilst giving adults more to think about.

The centre piece is the suitcase at which produces new worlds for Grey. Cardboard designs become shadows, pop-up trees appear quickly, and the setting moves from forest to city. The changes are well timed, and the atmosphere shifts effectively from calm and peaceful to noisy and increasingly urgent.

Grey is an engaging character. The puppet is simple in design but expressive, with movement in the body, arms, and legs, giving it plenty of personality. At times, Grey appears as a large shadow on the wall, giving the character a stronger presence. There is a naivety to the production that harks back to early BBC children’s programmes highlighted by the monochromatic set.

Through inventive puppetry and striking visual storytelling, SeedHeart proves that big ideas can grow from the smallest of beginnings.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner

Three Stars

Playing at:- Below at Pleasance Courtyard   until 31st August

Tickets and further information can be found following the link below

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/seedheart