Showing @ Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh until Thu 07 Nov only @ 19:30

Seasoned choreographer Karl Jay Lewin and composer Matteo Fargion offer up an exploration of the human psyche with very little to say. A series of text and dance based solos are presented, each penned as being ‘Extremely’ something (Vulgar, Right Wing, Obvious) via two flip charts at the stage front, with simplistic piano accompaniment. Bad dancing is in reality absent, as moves are executed with grace, rhythm and technical skill. Sadly, skill is one component that appears to be distinctly lacking in most other areas.

Part of the problem is that it’s uncertain if the unfolding events are intended to be humorous. Several moments are touching – the opening gives us a video of a deliberately aging Lewin, pencilling in extra wrinkles whilst reciting key life events, a sequence which is thoughtful if not ground-breaking. ‘Extreme Calm’ also proves interesting, effectively executed as Lewin descends into blissful slumber.

But humour does seem to be the frequent aim; and one man shouting ‘Good news!’  ‘Bad news!’ over and over again (by way of demonstrating ‘Extremely Good’ and ‘Extremely Bad News’, naturally), and skipping from left to right isn’t funny (though many in the audience disagreed). Nor is a faded reminder of The Ministry of Silly Walks any more welcome, as a very obvious example of pedestrian behaviour. It’s often like being stuck inside a pretentious art installation, with no hope of wandering on to the next exhibit.

One juxtaposition – Extremely Elephant and Extremely Wagnerian – is funny, if only because the idea is so bizarre. As the pseudo-Aryan soundtrack thunders, Lewin comes on in a deliberately unconvincing elephant costume and gathers up a mike, as if to burst into song. Sadly, the elephant’s sense of something – (Shyness? Not fitting in?) – descends and a tail-trailing exit follows, to a chorus of gentle audience coos. But sadly, that’s not enough to redeem proceedings – and the main emotion present as the lights go up is one of extreme disinterest.

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