4 teams of artists have been selected for Branar’s 2019 Tiny Shows artist support programme. Taking place this autumn, Branar will welcome lead artists Tara Breathnach, Cathal McGuire, Claire Mullane and Samantha Porciello to partake in weekend-long residencies.

Suse Reibish’s exquisite puppetry brings life to Jeffers’s protagonist, with his stick-like limbs and oversized head. Visible puppeteers, Grace Kiely and Neasa Ní Chuanaigh, animate his every move with tiny gestures and muted expressions of their own. Director Marc Mac Lochlainn joyfully indulges the undramatic moments of Jeffers’ story while adding his own signature: the battle between a seagull and a worm is one particularly memorable scene. Colm Mac Con Iomaire’s twinkling score, meanwhile, adds to the wonder of the tale, especially the boy’s final discovery.

This is a gentle, detailed and captivating show that avoids being sentimental. There are laugh out loud moments as well as the visual magic that Branar is well known for.