one4review | On 23, Aug 2026

If, like me, you adored ‘Breathe’, you may want to remind yourself just how amazing that was: the puppetry, the visuals, the music and sound effects on display. Tiny Planet is not Breath, and as much as it gives you beautiful moments, it’s hard not to compare the two. If you, however, haven’t seen Breathe or any previous production by this company, you’re in for a lovely treat with outstanding music and audio that accompany the visuals. Darcey O’Rourke’s live performance is an absolute standout in this production; her guitar, drum pad, and 90’s synth somehow mixed with folk are the undeniable heartbeat that drives this somewhat simple show forward and really does a lot of the heavy lifting.

As we enter, we are greeted immediately by a fantastic planet, and this stays for the duration of the performance, and we move around it using various ingenious staging devices from satellite cameras to mini cardboard planets and asteroids shooting past. Sadly, once the spectacle of the planet has set in, the rest of the puppetry feels a bit sparse compared to previous work. The most interesting puppet is held back until the final act, sadly.

The show focuses on Alma, a space baker on their deliveries to various planets and then finally trying to deliver a special wedding cake; unfortunately, she crashes onto the ‘Tiny Planet ’, and the story begins, sort of. Following a set piece with a comical interaction with the bride, the central plot point feels abandoned and doesn’t really have any resolution, leaving us feeling a bit adrift in space. There’s a rather confusing 47-hour rescue that doesn’t seem to go anywhere, followed by the very much needed jeopardy of the previously mentioned asteroid, which we see at various points hurtling to the planet with what sadly feels like ‘filler’ sections thrown in. Ear-defenders are a must if anyone going doesn’t like it loud; the synth and drums ramp up at points.

Overall, despite some narrative flaws, this is a sweet show with an amazing live soundtrack.

*** 1/2
Reviewed by Matthew
12.25 to 13.25
Pleasance Kingdome
Until 23rd August