Showing @ Summerhall, Edinburgh until Sun 25 Aug @ 20:00
Feral begins as a beautifully enacted account of an idyllic seaside town but descends into a dark fable about the perils of urban development. It is certainly a timely message, but the strength of this production lies in its staging rather than its subtlety.
Tortoise in a Nutshell are known for producing innovative theatre, and Feral is particularly striking in its use of film and puppetry. From an empty table, the audience watch as an entire community is built and then destroyed before their eyes. The aesthetic is black on white, sketchy and childlike, but also rich in the sort of details that make the scene come to life. The highlight is undoubtedly the pier with its twinkling lights, candyfloss and helterskelter.
The weakness in this production is that the company seem to have been so inspired by the inventive staging that they have neglected the storyline. The main characters are underdeveloped and much of the action seems more like an opportunity to show off clever techniques than further the narrative. It is a lack that sadly reduces what could be a “must see” show into simply a clever diversion.