Reeling & Writhing : The Presents

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Reeling & Writhing in association with Platform:

The Presents

A live musical journey for babies still finding their feet.
Suitable for 4 to 18 month-olds (and their adults).

A show for fresh eyes and ears.

From musician and director Katherine Morley
Composed byPaul Rissmann
Set Design by Karen Tennant

Performed by Su-a Lee (cello), Emily Mitchell (singer) and Iain Sandilands (percussion)

'I've never seen so many babies focus and sit transfixed for so long'.
A parent after a preview of 'The Presents'.

This mesmerising show has been expertly crafted to complement babies' concentration span and eager eye contact.

Each present contains a surprise. There's a stillness as each twinkling gift unfolds – what can you see? A bird, a hillside encounter with a beautiful red deer, a cave dancing with light or just a toy giraffe with a floppy neck?

'The Presents' is the perfect visual and musical environment to excite sensory development. Our performers have some beautiful tricks up their sleeves; babies gaze and giggle as they absorb each story unfolding before them. It's captivating!

Once, there was a small boy, and one day he found a present. And the present was…

'The Presents' is a unique new show for very young audiences from director Katherine Morley (co-creator of Scottish Opera's 'BabyO') renowned children's composer Paul Rissmann (RSNO's Naked Classics) and award-winning designer Karen Tennant (Catherine Wheels).

'The Presents' is performed in an intimate space so everyone has a front-row seat.

Audience Feedback

- As soon as the music started she was concentrating and fixed on all the action.
- Made me emotional!
- It was so beautiful, I loved seeing Madeleine so excited.
- Excellent. Very well put together.
- The best bit was watching my daughter (4.5 months) amazed by everything.
- Excellent and beautiful music.
- Fantastic show.
- I'd come again.
- The performers have captured the attention of everyone, even the youngest baby, the atmosphere is calm with a sense of curiosity and wonder – what is going to happen!!

If you've see 'The Presents' we would love to hear from you about what you thought of the show. Any comment you have would be very gratefully received and could be invaluable for our future work.

You can leave your comments here.

Supported by:

(Illustration by Johanna Basford.)

Go to 'Tour Dates & Tickets' for venues and ticket details.

Music Samples

Recordings from rehearsal:

'An Encounter With Mr Hedgehog' by Paul Rissmann

'The Presents' by Paul Rissmann, extract played on Combi Bells

'The Presents' by Paul Rissmann

A Bit More Detail About The Show

What Age Is The Presents Suitable For? 'The Presents' is aimed exclusively at ages 4 to 18 months and is a show expertly crafted to complement babies' concentration span and eager eye contact. Each show is performed to a small audience of adults and babies so that each young audience member can get a front-row view. Our thoughts and feelings are shaped by the connections we make with people, objects, and sounds - especially from 4-18 months old; The Presents is the perfect visual and musical environment to excite sensory development. It is not suitable for older children who are at the 'toddling' stage and can move around freely; rather, it is designed as a unique experience to be shared between an adult and a 'held' baby. Babies younger than 4 months may be bought into the performance.

Running Time & How The Show Works: 'The Presents' is open for an hour and the performance itself lasts 30 minutes, with time beforehand to let baby get comfortable. Babies & adults are seated comfortably on the floor, close to the performance. The show is performed in an intimate, comfy setting to a limited number of adults and babies so everyone has a front-row view. Limited number of chairs for additional adults will be provided. Space for parking buggies will be available.

The Presents - Audience Feedback

The Performers:

Full biographies are available here.

Su-a Lee

Su-a Lee
Su-a is Asst-Principal Cellist with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as well as playing regularly with most of the other Scottish orchestras. She is a founder member of Mr McFalls Chamber. Her music has taken her all over the world, from South America to the Arctic Circle, Japanese temples, circus tents and waterfalls!

Emily Mitchell

Emily Mortimer
Emily recently graduated from RSAMD where she represented the RSAMD at the Junior Kathleen Ferrier Singing Competition and was Highly Commended in the Governors' Final Recital Prize. She has sung for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Opera, BBC Radio Scotland, and at the Proms and Edinburgh International Festival.

Iain Sandilands

Iain Sandilands has performed and recorded regularly with BBCSSO, SCO, Mr McFall's Chamber, True North Orchestra and Red Note Ensemble. Beyond classical he has performed with Jenna Reid, Alistair McCulloch, Colin Train and Rachel Walker, and The Moth & The Mirror. A committed educator, he has worked as animateur and workshop leader for the Scottish Ensemble, BBCSSO, Perth Concert Hall, City Halls and Tron Theatre Glasgow and Feis Tiree. He currently tutors at Big Noise, Sistema Scotland's centre in Raploch and in Drumchapel on behalf of Children's Classic Concerts and RSAMD Youthworks.