Movement, live music and visual poetry come together in Univers, the enchanting multi-sensory experience created especially for babies and toddlers by Catalonia-based company Engruna Teatre.
Movement, live music and visual poetry come together in Univers(2–12 December), the enchanting multi-sensory experience created especially for babies and toddlers by Catalonia-based company Engruna Teatre, returning to the Barbican following its acclaimed sell-out London debut.
“Univers was genuinely one of the most engaging and inclusive theatre experiences my daughter and I have enjoyed together in London. The creativity and quality of this show were what set it apart – and how it could be both very engaging but also so calming for us both. Having the chance to sit and observe the children responding to the beautiful set and soundscape as well as the sensitive and accomplished performers was priceless.” – Journalist & parent Nancy Groves, Senior Editor of Cultureshock.
People, performers and beautiful objects move, scatter and rearrange themselves in this endearing, immersive production, inviting little ones to explore, touch and interact. Two performers and a live musician create an ever-changing landscape of movement, sound and texture, with objects of different shapes and materials appearing, disappearing and transforming around them.
“There’s something very special about welcoming a baby into The Pit for what might be their very first experience of theatre. We’re thrilled to welcome Engruna Teatre and Univers back to the Barbican this December, and to create a space where babies, toddlers and their grown-ups can discover, play and experience the magic of live performance together. It’s a joy to see our youngest audiences respond in their own way to the movement, music and beautiful objects of Univers, and to know that these early experiences may inspire a lifelong relationship with the arts.” – Toni Racklin, Barbican Head of Theatre & Dance.
Inspired by the fragile balance of the universe, where even the smallest thing can create unexpected change, Univers encourages vulnerability, adaptability and exploration. Designed specifically for 0–2-year-olds, the production gives babies and toddlers the freedom to discover and respond at their own pace, while offering grown-ups the opportunity to experience their sense of wonder alongside them.
Engruna Teatre is a Catalonia-based theatre company led by a predominantly female creative team. The company has more than fifteen years of experience creating work that charms and thrills both children and adults, combining music, puppetry and visual poetry to create imaginative forms of storytelling beyond words. Following its sell-out Barbican run last December, Univers has continued its international journey, travelling to Sydney Opera House in Australia, Festival MIMOS in Périgueux, France, and Ruhrtriennale at PACT Zollverein in Essen, Germany. The production returns to The Pit in December as part of its ongoing international tour.
