A simple and heart-warming story, with expressions of hope and vitality.
Produced by Half a String company, “Breathe” is a puppetry play combined with live music performances, uses real-time photography to present the story. The story follows a “Seedling” puppet as they hatch from and acorn and experience the hectic forest floor, explores the inner workings of trees.
The most impressive aspect of the show is the versatility and seamless coordination of the three performers. They take on multiple roles, serving as storytellers, puppeteer, musicians, cameramen, and even responsible for scene changes. The show features many beautiful pieces of music, which are also available on Spotify and Apple Music. The original drums and bass, along with the live ethereal folk music, create a warm atmosphere for the growth of the little acorn, and also drives the narrative forward. The play magnifies the micro-world of nature through real-time photography, requiring the performers to switch between seasons and different scenes on two platforms. The three performers work seamlessly together, using the lenses of two different devices to transition time, all while maintaining a smooth projection on the big screen. At times, the performers have to make rapid scene changes, and their coordination on stage, moving props, and changing sets is as fluid as a well-choreographed dance.
This is a simple and heart-warming story, full of expressions of hope and vitality. However, the play lacks dramatic tension or conflict, and the pacing is slow. While the interactions between the bugs and birds, and the little acorn and leaves, are very interesting and touching, the absence of dialogue makes it somewhat tedious. The audience can only engage with the show through real-time images and puppet performances. For children, this is a very innocent and charming work, and for those experiencing this type of micro-world puppetry combined with real-time photography for the first time, it may feel fresh. But for adults who have seen this format before, the show might seem a bit dull. Moreover, the dark, stuffy, and poorly ventilated theatre environment can make it easy for one to feel drowsy.