Showing @ Institut Française D’Ecosse, Edinburgh until Sun 24 Aug @ 20:00
There is a pale white tent outside The Institut Française D’Ecosse and it is in here that an hour of acrobatic magic happens. The performance is inspired by the sculptures of artist Jephan de Villiers and his tormented childhood. It is the sculptures of Villiers which really give the show its kinetic energy. He is depicted as a curious puppet that interacts with the audience, his surroundings and his own dreams and fantasies.
The puppet is tormented and assisted by three acrobats who tumble, fall and perform aerial feats in the small area of the tent. Their presence creates beautiful movement and powerful imagery, however the acrobats convey the torment best when wearing masks that show the artwork of Villiers. His sculptures are evocative, moody and restless, and heighten the show beyond a circus act moving it into the realm of pure fantasy in the vein of The Brothers Grimm.
The performance is accompanied by cellist Florence Sauveur, whose subtle and melancholy tones add to the deep emotion and empathy of the piece. Credit has to go to puppeteer Morganne Aimerie Robin who brings the young boy to life and conveys his shy and tormented soul through nuance and fragile slight of hand. L’Enfant Qui… is a beautiful piece of puppet mastery that evokes passion, delight and surrealism in a thoroughly engaging physical performance.
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