Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Studio at theSpace @ Niddry St, Edinburgh
Ordinary objects from a child's hospital room are transformed into fantastical adventures in this original work created especially for young audiences with specific mobility or sensory needs, but enjoyable to all. Part performance, part (optional) hands-on interaction, Places I Go from My Bed empowers audiences of all ages and abilities to transport themselves on their own imaginative journeys.
Perfect for the youngest visitors at the Fringe Festival! Running at only half an hour, and more of what I would label a visual experience than a show, this piece explores a range of lands and creatures using shadow puppetry and soundscapes. The performance begins with a gentle introduction to the actors and a short list of what to expect, including some rumbly noises, a flashing light, and some strange materials. The arrangement of this set up makes it an incredibly accessible show for neurodivergent children and their families, or those who have perhaps never seen a live performance before!
The story follows a young hospital patient who wishes to see the world, but is currently confined to their bed. We zoom into their imagination and find all sorts of different places. While the main section of this performance isn't immersive, there is an opportunity for interaction at the end. This is especially exciting because all of the props are made of things you might see or hear in a hospital, for example beeping heart monitors, stethoscopes, emergency alarms, and safety goggles.
Not only are this company offering a well crafted, sensory inclusive performance for audiences of even the youngest ages, but they are helping to reduce the fear and stigma around some really important tools that a lot of children are afraid of. A brilliant piece, and one that I hope has a life beyond the Fringe.
You can find out more about Places I Go From My Bed here.
Review by Katie
No comments