For 90 unforgettable minutes Festival audiences left reality behind and were immersed in a place of dreams, imagination and giant puppets as one of physical theatre’s most celebrated sons unleashed his stunning array of skills.

Few do theatrical spectacle better than multi award-winning artist James Thiérrée. Not surprising really, given that he grew up in a renowned theatrical family and has been perfecting the art of performance since he was knee-high to a ringmaster.

After wildly popular Festival performances in 2004 (The Junebug Symphony) and 2006 (Bright Abyss), Thiérrée returned in 2012 with his new full-length piece as Raoul, a lone figure adrift in an incredible, ever changing world of billowing sails, steel pipes and driftwood. Alone, that is, until the arrival of a destructive doppelgänger that attacked Raoul’s home and had him questioning his very identity and existence.

Unexpected at every turn, Thiérrée drew from a seemingly endless repertoire of theatrical talents as he pushed his mind and body to incredible new places. In his hands every part of the intricate set came alive as Raoul’s world began to spectacularly crash down around him.

Funny, moving and achingly beautiful, Raoul was a mesmerising journey into the mind of one of Europe’s most creative and versatile artists.

AGE RECOMMENDATION: 12+