SHIFT+SPACE | Breathless by Alex Young & Aqiong Zhang

Breathless is a haunting and poetic tale told through the evocative medium of shadow puppetry. A young woman retreats from the bustling city to a weathered seaside house in hopes of recovering from tuberculosis. But as she settles into the crumbling home, it becomes clear that something is not right. The house itself seems alive with secrets—its silence broken by strange sounds, fleeting reflections, and a ghostly presence that lurks just beyond sight. As the isolation deepens and the illness spreads, what will become of her—and the darkness that threatens to consume her?

Alex Young and Aqiong Zhang are the puppet designers, puppeteers, and story developers for this piece.

Age guidance: This performance is recommended for ages 10+

Content warning: This performance contains some references to morality

Interval: This performance does not have an interval.

Post show discussion: This performance has a post show discussion.

There will be large font texts available on request. Please email cHJvZHVjZXIgfCB0aGVhdHJlZGVsaSAhIGNvICEgdWs= for more information.

See our Accessibility Guide for information about access in our venue.

Alex Young and Aqiong Zhang are London-based puppeteers who recently graduated from the Curious School of Puppetry. Alex Young specializes in shadow puppetry but is excited about making and performing puppets of all sorts. She has performed across the United States and was awarded a Jim Henson Foundation workshop grant in 2024. Aqiong Zhang has worked with various organisations including Little Angel Theatre, SPID Theatre, Bureau of Silly ideas, Ensonglopedia, Polka Theatre, and Chickenshed Theatre as a facilitator, set/costume/puppet designer, puppeteer and performer.alexyoung.squarespace.com

Instagram: @alexfy

@aqiong.z

This performance is part of the SHIFT+SPACE programme

Theatre Deli’s SHIFT+SPACE programme is a free performance opportunity for artists to present their work that needs an audience to develop, where artists keep 100% of the Box Office!

Find out more about the SHIFT+SPACE programme here.

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