Happiness for Everyone is the catchphrase of the Borrowers International Network, which (we are led to believe by Hohki and her collaborators, Andy Cox and Mervyn Millar) was set up to promote cultural exchange between Borrowers and Human Beans. Evidence for the existence of Borrowers takes the audience on a journey through the out-of-sight areas of a theatre venue, in the search for evidence of those extraordinary little beings.
And we are not disappointed! This promenade piece is a delight – particularly for anyone familiar with Mary Norton's stories of tiny people who live beneath the floorboards. We start with an introductory lecture on the organisation's valuable work, then are taken on a backstage tour of the Theatre Workshop as Hohki shares with us the story of her communication with Bob, a borrower who contacts her via email; much easier than the telephone, as he can jump up and down on computer keys! She shows us the precious Bobjects that he leaves for her, culminating in a concert played on Binstruments – mini instruments made from spoons, pins, rubber bands and teeny metal tins. With an ingenious artistic concept, delicate music and meticulous making skills, this enchanting, direct, moving, and completely engaging performance brings the audience into its alternative reality. At the end, as Hohki asks individually of each audience member ‘are you Bob?' it feels an honour to have been invited into this intimate and precious world.