Showing @ Summerhall, Edinburgh until Sun 25 Aug @ 16:45
This production sets very high standards for itself. The long programme handed to each audience member insists on the incompleteness of what’s on stage and the audience’s responsibility or role to make connections and complete the play. A series of disconnected and incongruous scenes follow which feature a man screaming at a pair of ballet shoes, readings of Aristotle and enough adult material to justify its 18+ rating – sometimes whilst reading the Ancient Greek philosopher.
However, despite initial skepticism, the passion and skill of Vladimir Tzekov Stage Action Laboratory carries the audience through and encourages them to actually engage with and connect what they see. Some scenes are stronger than others, particularly some recurring motifs which don’t justify their presence when contrasted to some of the more evocative movements. The audience was definitely left divided in terms of those who felt they had engaged and those who were confused by the entire piece. The show aims high and has its moments but though they deserve to be attempted, it’s ambitions maybe too lofty.