Founded in 2010 by Nina Bambrey, a graduate of Circus Maniacs in Bristol, Whispering Woods combines aerial acrobatics, live music and spoken word and a hint of ‘faereality’ to present its own original magical tales, set in the forest. The Boy Who Grew Wings is their latest production, and where better to perform it than in 18^th Century Prior Park Landscape Gardens, with its abundant woodland and sweeping views, designed by poet Alexander Pope and landscape gardener Capability Brown.

Summoned by cello and accordion players, an ambulant audience, with ages ranging from five to seventy, dutifully followed the beckoning hand of the narrator.

At first we filed past the grand porticos of Prior Park mansion on the edge of the woodland where we were introduced to Kinara, a resplendently dressed young man blessed “with riches beyond our imagination”. We heard how he was fascinated by the dark forest on the edge of his family’s estate, and how he had been warned against its dangerous and unpredictable nature. But he is eventually lured there by a sense of fascination and disillusionment with his own life.

In the forest, Kinara quickly becomes disorientated. He comes across Aquilla, the bird witch, performed by Bambrey. This is the first of several ‘wow’ moments during the evening’s performance. As the audience filtered down an idyllic woodland path, it was confronted with an astonishing sight – thirty-foot long bright yellow sheets were suspended from one of the tallest Norway maple trees. Half way down, Aquilla was suspended by means of elaborate turns of the cloth holding her aloft. Dressed, as were all the participants, in a sumptuously coloured costume, her performance was as enchanting as it was impressive, high up against the canopy. That she could retain a smile despite the strenuousness, not to mention some danger, in her routine, made it all seem effortless and joyful.

We follow Kinara’s progress as he falls under Aquilla’s spell and learns to understand the magic of the forest. He learns to fly, and quickly forgets about his past life, until he sees a girl, Paloma, from his home village, wandering alone in his new domain. Aquilla and Paloma eventually establish a pact that will allow the homesick Kinara to reconnect with his family – devastated by his disappearance. But he returns a man imbued with a new set of values, thanks to his life in the forest.

Kino McDonald as Kinara and Justine Squire as Paloma are both impressive aerialists and dancers, with extreme physicality always presented with flourish and great control. Ailsa Hughes’ cello playing and singing lent the evening its magic mood, with a lovely acoustic ringing through the trees. Louise Mellor was compelling as the narrator and accordionist, occasionally adding witty detail when warning us about uneven pathways ahead. Daniel Pascal Tanner’s costumes added a great deal to the overall sense of enchantment, in particular Kinara’s winged armlets caught the eye.

The Boy Who learned to Fly is an immersive story through which you can experience and reconnect to the outdoors. Its visual and narrative charm will appeal to all ages. Watch out for performances in Leigh Woods, Bristol, later this year.    ★★★★☆     Simon Bishop  10^th June 2017