The special thing about this immersive light-led experience for young children is just how much freedom it allows its audience. Puppets, storytellers and other friendly faces pop up throughout this seasonal adventure, but it’s down to the children to forge their own path. My three-year-old son Benji is at ease from the off, approaching the glowing animals or gleaming installations at his own pace, in his own particular way.
A collaboration between BAC and immersive events experts Wild Rumpus, it is essentially a nature-themed sculptural installation for little ones, with bonus interactive elements woven in. We start in spring. A canopy of rainbow-coloured paper streamers hangs from the ceiling and oversized flowers and nest sculptures lie scattered about the room. There are chalkboards inviting the children to add their own sketches. As Benji scribbles away, a giant but delicate dragonfly puppet flutters about his face. It could’ve been a slightly scary encounter but in this carefully curated space – with lulling music and smiling puppeteers – it’s a warm and gentle moment.
Drawing finished, Benji announces: “I don’t want to be in this room any more,” and we venture into summer. Swarms of sculpted bees and blooming flowers line our path. The room beyond glimmers invitingly: it’s a cosy space full of lamps, chairs, cushions and benches, all bathed in a honeyed golden glow. The children naturally recognise this environment – it’s story time – and they settle down to listen to the tale of a winter wolf, sad and lonely, as all her other animal friends lie sleeping, hunkered down for winter.
The story is told with gusto but it’s a little thin and never properly integrated into the experience. There’s a plot thread about cheering up the wolf, and sharing our hopeful stories, but it doesn’t take off. The production is aimed at over-threes but, while the installation elements could accommodate a much younger audience, the more sophisticated aspects of the story are lost on Benji.
In the winter room, decorated with snowy canopies and silver tree trunks, we finally meet the lonely wolf – and he’s a beauty. With soulful eyes and a body that glows with the softest of light, this wolf is the gentlest of creatures. Benji proudly announces “I’m not scared” and happily strokes the wolf, examining it carefully from every angle. All the children step in closer, curiosity piqued and fear banished.
In the final rooms, there’s space to make our own shadow-puppet shows and create stars filled with happy stories. It’s all a little bit stop-start – part playgroup and part fully fledged theatre – but it’s still a wonderfully open-hearted affair that invites the young audience in and allows them to experience the glimmering nature-scape on their own terms.
• At Battersea Arts Centre, London, until 24 December
