The Fringe has brought us some hugely enjoyable dance-based feats of endurance in recent years. ‘Mass Effect’ in 2023 by from Denmark’s Himherandit Productions and Blue Mouth Inc’s 2011 ‘Dance Marathon’ both impressed their audiences with their exuberant energy and Richard Gadd did something similar in ‘Monkey See, Monkey Do’. But this takes physical exertion to another level.

As we enter Summerhall’s Main Hall a rave is in full swing.  Three New Zealand dancers, Oli Mathiesen, Lucy Lynch, and Sharvon Mortimer, are in perfect, and I mean perfect, symmetry to the techno blast of Detroit DJ Suburban Night’s relentless ‘Nocturbulous Behaviour’. And, make no mistake, relentless is the key word here.  

For the next hour we are drawn into this world of rave culture where nothing much happens from a plot perspective, but nothing is left in the dressing room as the trio maintain perfect symmetry throughout to the loud cheers from the back of the theatre of their rave buddy. The dancing is superbly choreographed with a tightness of delivery that has been moulded in an award-winning sell-out New Zealand tour.

With our armbands on we are meant to feel that we are participating in the rave itself. Although we are mere bystanders, the hypnotic rhythms, the occasional burst of strobe, heavy use of haze, and pulsating coloured fluorescent light tubes draws us into what becomes a visceral experience and a demonstration of stamina like nothing else you will see this year.

‘The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave’ is captivating and impressive stuff that leaves a strong impression and a smile as broad as that of the performers.

‘The Butterfly Who Flew Into the Rave’ is at Sumerhall – Main Hall until Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 18:05