THE SMALLS
Exploring the magical microworld of soil animals with small people & their grown-ups
Calling all soil supporters, creature campaigners, dirt defenders!
Join us for The Smalls, a 50-minute interactive performance designed to teach children aged 3-5 about the magical microworld beneath their feet. With dance, live music and fun costumes, The Smalls welcomes children to discover these ancient and unusual animals on their own terms. Get ready to turn your children’s usual play area into an underground world.
Children and their grown-ups alike will move, play, sing and dance, as they explore how animals that are teenier than termites and weenier than worms are essential to the future of our world. The Smalls creates a joyful, relaxed environment for nursery children to experience live performance for the first time.
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Choreographer: Izzy Brittain | Collaborators & Performers: Bryn Thomas & Tammy Tsang | Composer & Musician: Otis Jones | Choreographic Mentors & Rehearsal Direction: Kate Cox & TC Howard | Entomologist Consultant: Andy Murray | Early Years Consultant: Anna Daly | Geochemist Consultant: Gbotemi Adediran | Videographer: Alice Carfrae | Vocal Consultant: Emma Coleman
With special thanks to Chapeltown Community Nursery!
This trailer documents The Smalls' second research and development residency. Filmed on location at The University of Leeds in September 2025, supported by a Play Space Residency, Jerwood Choreographic Research Bursary and Yorkshire Dance's Dance Partners Projects.
Choreographer: Izzy Brittain | Entomologist: Andy Murray | Geophysicist: Gbotemi Adediran | Musician: Otis Jones | Performers: Tammy Tsang & Bryn Thomas | Vocal Consultant: Emma Coleman | Early Years Mentor: Hannah Le Feuvre | Videographer: Alice Carfrae
This trailer documents The Smalls' first research and development residency and was filmed at The Place, London in August 2024. Commissioned by The Place. Supported by Evolving Forests and Research England’s Higher Education Innovation Fund.
Choreographer: Izzy Brittain | Entomologist: Andy Murray | Musician: Otis Jones | Performers: Kate Cox & Bakani Pickup | Videographer: Alice Carfrae