Showing @ C venues, Edinburgh until Mon 26 Aug @ 16:05
A Romance is a picturesque if sedate reading of a love story by a household of women, with the Modl Theatre cast flitting between their original characters and parts. Impressive atmosphere is generated from the outset with luxurious traditional costumes and a convincing adaptation of the venue into a domestic interior.
The poetry of the language is preserved with concurrent translations being projected, though several audience members struggled to see them. The initial readings of the Mistress sets the tone and builds expectations, however the production never really moves beyond this measured pace. The format of reading followed by domestic interlude is rigorous but begins to drift away from the engaging. Attempts at a more dramatic conclusion are made but they are still hindered by a retention of very static staging. Indeed, beyond the elegant fan dance at the end there is little dance or physical theatre as advertised save a few comic sections. A Romance is certainly a cultural experience and something different at the Fringe, but its strict adherence to form leaves it feeling stilted if beautiful.