Half a String
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BREATHE IS BACK ON TOUR IN 2025!

We are so excited to be taking Breathe on a UK tour from February to June 2025!
​Click the link below for a full list of dates, are we visiting anywhere near you?
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
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Find the epic in the tiny from the perspective of an acorn. 

An extraordinary journey through a busy forest. Experience a story told from the perspective of an acorn; the hectic forest floor, thrumming underworlds, and dazzling heights of icy branches. Discover bizarre larger than life fungi, connecting creaking tree roots, and majestic guardians watching over a delicate cycle. Join three storytellers as they lead you through an enchanting experience like no other.

​Breathe explores the inner workings of trees, all beautifully realised through a combination of puppetry, detailed sets, and live camera work. Underscored through a truly unique blend of thumping Drum & Bass and live ethereal folk songs. Find the epic in the tiny in this celebration of trees, nature, and finding space in a buzzing community.

Recommended for ages 5+.​

Supported by Arts Council England, Gulbenkian Arts Centre and A+E Lab.

For Breathe touring enquires, please email:
​
​[email protected].


​​PRAISE FOR BREATHE

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​OFFIES FINALIST 2024: ​TYA Music / Sound
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"Breathe is a beautifully designed and flawlessly executed gem...​

a delightfully imaginative, innovative and emotionally engaging production"


​(Everything Theatre, 2023)
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OFFIES NOMINATED 2024: ​TYA Design
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"A time for peace, for pause...A total whimsical wonder."
​(Binge Fringe, 2024)
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"The production is quite simply unmissable."
​(Beyond the Curtain, 2024)
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"EXCEPTIONAL"

​(PICK OF THE FRINGE,  2024)
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"I will never look at trees quite the same way again"
​(UK Theatre Network, 2024)
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"beautifully executed"
​(Edinburgh Festival For Kids, 2024)
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"Crafted in natural beauty"
​(One4Review, 2024)
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"intricacy and wonder"
​(The LIST, 2024)
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"imaginative and engaging"
​(Three Weeks, 2024)
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​(The Wee Review, 2024)
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​(North West End, 2024)
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​(Broadway Baby, 2024)
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​(Edinburgh Reviews, 2024)

The Breathe Album
​​
Available now on Spotify & Apple Music

FIND THE ALBUM HERE
​Creative Team

Initial Devising Creation Team (2022):

Director, Designer & Story: Peter Morton
Writer: Louisa Ashton
Dramaturg & Director: Emma Willatts 

Songwriter: Avi Simmons
Drum and Bass: Suitman Jungle

AV Designer: Boyd Branch

Deviser & Puppeteer: Nick Halliwell
Performer & Puppeteer: Emily Essery
Performer & Musican: Darcey O'Rourke

Lighting Designer: Jack Weir
AV Designer: Boyd Branch
Assistant Director: Ellie Levine
Guest Puppetry Director: Elaine Hartley

Costume Dyeing: Lidia Witts
Workshop Assistants: Hatty Edwards & Nick Willis
Illustration: Caleb Simmons
Remount and Touring Team (2023):

Director & Performer: Peter Morton
Director: Emma Willatts 
Guest Director: Rori Endersby
Performer: Emily Essery
Performer: Darcey O'Rourke

Technical Support and Re-lighting: Thomas Blake

Remount and Touring Team (2024):
​

Director & Performer: Peter Morton
Assistant Director & Touring Stage Manager: Rori Endersby
Performer & Puppeteer: Emily Essery & Louisa Ashton
Performer & Musician: Darcey O'Rourke

Remount and Touring Team (2025):

Director & Performer: Peter Morton
Assistant Director & Touring Stage Manager: Rori Endersby
Performer & Puppeteer: Emily Essery
Performer & Musician: Darcey O'Rourke


Read along to the background soundtrack below:

Half a String · Breathe Book: Background music to read along to.

Breathe Social Story

For those who might find a theatre experience a little daunting. 
​SPOILERS AHEAD
breathe_social_story_2024_reduced.pdf
File Size: 1987 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


'Behind the Build'

Have a peak into the workshop of Peter Morton, the designer of Breathe!

Environmental Data: 

Creation and Development of Breathe Emissions Total: 110 kg CO2e
Calculated from materials, light, sound and projection usage in 2022

Breathe 2023 Tour Estimated Total (50 shows): 4.83 t CO2e

Show Power: 1003 kg CO2e
​Accommodation: 998 kg CO2e
Team Travel: 1101 kg CO2e
Van Travel of Set and Equipment:
1,734 kg CO2e

Breathe 2024 Tour Estimated Total (63 shows): 5.99 t CO2e
Show Power: 1,347 kg CO2e
​Accommodation: 946 kg CO2e
Team Travel: 712 kg CO2e
Van Travel of Set and Equipment: 2,987 kg CO2e

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Seedling

The first part of Breathe is Seedling. Launched during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic this mini series saw a small seedling explore a strange empty world. This launched our YouTube channel with the making of videos, workshops, and the mini series.

In a 3-part mini-series a young seedling tree puppet leaves the forest, lured by a strangely empty world. Half a String are bringing you their brand of stunning intricate puppetry and atmospheric live music. With driving vocals from singer/songwriter Avi Simmons and earthy D&B from Suitman Jungle; this unique musical collaboration accompanies the puppet adventuring through uncharted terrain.
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HALF A STRING's YOUTube channel here




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