The Big in Belgium showcase is back at the Edinburgh Fringe for its fourth consecutive year. This programme of events highlights new and interesting work from Flemish speaking countries. Bildraum fits neatly into the line-up as it is an original show that uses photography, architecture, music, sound effects and tiny objects as a storytelling tool.
Steve Salembier is an architect and Charlotte Bouckaert is a photographer. They have teamed up to bring the show Bildraum to the Old Lab in Summerhall. As the audience enter the theatre space we can see scale-model buildings on the stage that are delicately illuminated by small lights. Eventually the performers enter and the unique, original and inspired performance begins. The architect begins to assemble a miniature intricate building using architectural models. The structure is stark and grey and tiny in scale. Photographer Charlotte Bouckaert picks up her camera and begins to take photographs of the building. As she does so the images that she captures are projected onto a screen to the back of the theatre space. Here we see these small models blown up to a large scale and the images look stark and expansive. This routine carries on and the result is a journey through a series of made up buildings.
The concept is unassuming yet effective. As the show progresses we hear various soundscapes and music that enhance the images we are seeing. These sounds include the chatter of people talking, doors opening and closing, footsteps on floorboards and the sounds of objects dropping. These effects instil an impression of life to the photographs and help the performance come alive.
Towards the conclusion the performers begin to experiment with dirt, sand and grit. Here we are taken to vast landscapes filled with mood and atmosphere. The result is awe inspiring, as the eye darts from the projected images to the back of the stage, and then to performers to the front. Bildraum runs at approximately 40 minutes in length, therefore it does not overstay its welcome. The short running time feels appropriate and as after ten minutes the magic of the show has been revealed, but there is enough imagery and inventiveness in the performance to hold the attention and present a truly original theatre experience.