The repetition of domestic routines performed by the characters will be familiar to preschoolers.
This simple, measured, gentle charmer can be found inside a soft white cube inside the black box studio of Q Loft. Inside the cube are smaller boxes (bird houses), a teepee and some very low benches, designed for the comfort of the target audience (ages 2 to 4) rather than
for their adults.
The two human characters, Cotton and Wrinkle, quietly go about their housework to keep everything "white" (actually a range of hues from ivory to ice, but shhh), and lovingly look after the eggs that drop from the sky. The domestic activities - waking up, having breakfast, nap time - will be familiar to all preschoolers.
Writer Andy Manley - who also plays Cotton - has chosen the perfect plot structure for this crowd: rituals, then repeat with a twist.
It's clear that a large part of the appeal for this Scottish show - which has been performed over 800 times - is its design, by Shona Reppe and Craig Fleming (lighting). There are so many wonderful details that surprises are hidden in plain view, waiting to be spied. The beautiful, delicate soundtrack, full of slight pauses, by Danny Krass, enhances the atmosphere of wonder.
At the end of the show, the two performers come into the audience and engage directly and very naturally with their small guests. My borrowed co-reviewer (aged 3) went home with a grin on his face and a pocket full of colour for his mum.
