Crafted in natural beauty, “Breathe” is a wonderful and very unique show of its kind and takes the audience on an enchanting woodland journey via the life of a solitary acorn. The second you sit down, birds chirping in the background transport you to some calm woodland area, giving way to a unique ride.

The show has three characters who narrate the whole story but also give interesting yet eccentric facts of nature which makes it both educational and fun. This is backed by live music, a combination of ethereal folk and grinding drum and bass that adds another sensory dimension to the show.

The visuals succeeded in being sumptuous. Beautiful puppetry and multi-layered sets with live camera work that mimics stop-motion are used to tell the tale stunningly. Here the inventiveness of working with more than one camera, and opting for viewing live feeds on a large monitor positioned above the stage allows us to see that woodland fully formed.

The story depicts the life of an anthropomorphised seedling acorn character, on a journey of growth. That journey is gorgeously rendered through puppetry and multimedia, with the stage shifting to become whatever part of those woods they must navigate. The multitalented cast acts in perfect sync as the complex stage, puppet and live musical number run flawlessly like a well-oiled machine.

There are some rather repetitive sounds which may test older audiences however the overall pace of the show means it’s never dull. The children around me were dancing along and never seemed to look away as they were constantly waiting to see what was next on display.

Breathe combines visually stunning and aurally pleasing storytelling with some lighter educational content, executed to near perfection. The set and puppet design echoes the work of Jim Henson, which does not fail to draw nostalgia in adults but remains wondrous for children. A family outing that is simply joyous.