In a dimly lit room full of books, a library guardian wearing a yellow shirt and headband answers the phone.

The Lost Lending Library

Edinburgh International Festival

About The Lost Lending Library

The Lost Lending Library, Punchdrunk Enrichment’s immersive family experience made its first visit to the Edinburgh International Festival from 3-27 August 2023.

Calling all young people with great imaginations.

At 314 floors high and with 78 spiral side departments, The Lost Lending Library houses the largest collection of books and stories in the world. Books of all sizes and colours are crammed together on its shelves, stories bursting into life from their covers.

Inside one department is a trainee library guardian weighed down with responsibility. They need your help to learn how to believe in themselves, and appreciate their own unique talents.

In this immersive experience, discover a world of stories. Come on a journey that celebrates the search for knowledge and trying your best.

Suitable for young people aged 6–11 years and their parents or carers.

Punchdrunk Enrichment creates immersive, theatrical experiences that celebrate the power of the imagination. Since 2008 it has opened doors to magical worlds for children in education, family and community settings.

What's On

From start to finish, this show is an enchanting, engaging experience for children aged 6-10. The actors are charming and talented improvisers, and the set design has all of the company’s trademark, awe-inducing detail. Best of all, it’s about inspiring children to read and write stories. And crucially, efforts are made to reward the children who don’t like reading as well as those who do. Punchdrunk Enrichment succeeds with this show: it’s a little piece of magic!

Tom Brocklehurst, The Lost Lending Library, Edinburgh International Festival, 2023

Image gallery

Images

An image of a pile of books and magazines on the table with a pair of glasses in the foreground.
Credit : Punchdrunk Enrichment's The Lost Lending Library at Edinburgh International Festival. Image by Mihaela Bodlovic.
In a dimly lit room, a woman is clasping tightly a closed book in front of her chest with both hands. She is wearing glasses and a pink hairband. She is wearing grey dungarees with a pastel pink, puffy sleeve blouse. She is sitting on a chair and surrounded by books, items and shelves.
Credit : Punchdrunk Enrichment's The Lost Lending Library at Edinburgh International Festival. Image by Mihaela Bodlovic.
A close up image of a shelf with books and three light up miniature objects of hot air balloons.
Credit : Punchdrunk Enrichment's The Lost Lending Library at Edinburgh International Festival. Image by Mihaela Bodlovic.
In a dimly lit room full of books, a library guardian wearing a yellow shirt and headband answers the phone.
Punchdrunk Enrichment's The Lost Lending Library. Photo by Mihaela Bodlovic.

Creative Team

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Punchdrunk Enrichment would like to express thanks to the members of The Lost Lending Library Giving Circle and the Maria Björnson Memorial Fund for their invaluable support towards the development of this production.