It is a truly amazing skill to be able to pitch quality theatre at wee ones aged up to 2 but that is exactly what Starcatchers has done with the show First Light. The company, who specialises in "the creation of world-class theatre performances for children aged from birth to 4 years”, have certainly met their goal.
Within a circular white tented space, the audience of very young children and their guardians sat on a softly carpeted stepped area as they were soothed by the soft whistling and guitar of the musician (Scott Twyholm )sitting at the side.
This lovely atmosphere sets the tone for the introduction of Dawn (Jen Edgar), who is about to wake up the world. Wordlessly, Dawn, with the lightest of breaths and gentle smiles, lights up the sky and reveilles the birds, the cock, the cows and the dogs as they join in like a discreet orchestra at the start of a new day.
At this eclipse, Dawn meets the Man in the Moon (Bilal Oussellam) and through some fine acrobatics and dancing pass the baton of night to day one to the other like modest lovers. The finely timed technicalities of illuminating stars and clouds was impressive.
After the show, children were invited to explore the set which included a round floor mirror.This is a magical performance that absorbed the very young audience, part of which was my one year old grandson. He wakened from a nap just in time for the show and I suspect he may have thought he was taking part in a very vivid dream. Not a bad memory for a first theatre experience!
Last show Saturday 14 May at 11.00 and 13.30. The Imaginate Festival continues until 15 May