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The
Edinburgh Fringe
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Fringe 2009 Reviews (46)Metamorphosis When a man becomes a beetle he is likely to garner odd looks. Gregor Samsa, the transfigured protagonist of this Berkoff adaptation of Kafka, recedes from principal, dignified bread-winner to ostracised insect. The delivery of this absurd narrative is an organized bedlam. The beetle is rendered by a dozen bodies in black lycra, who hiss, snarl, scratch and flex with impressive synchrony and venom. The sound engineering evokes a tetrus delirium, complementing the mood of circus anarchism. What lurks beneath the surface here? Innocent of both play and novel, I understood Metamorphosis as a lament about the societal tendency to divide and ostracise what appears disgusting. Gregor's metamorphosis is perceived by his family and colleagues as a monstrous degeneration, deserving, ultimately, of death. Yet the true degenerate here is the profound prejudice which sees Gregor punished for his difference. Research tells me there is Marxism and Nazism all lurking sub-textually - find what you will. The acting and movement is certainly balletic and fervent, but, save for Gregor, its tone is so unerringly bombastic that it becomes tiring. Being rich, I suspect, in allegory, the play needs periods of calm to allow an intellectual engagement. As it is, it is impressive as physical theatre but not as an efficient translation of ideas. Ben Aitken F**ked It's been a disastrous New Year's eve and 'F' has just found her diary from years ago. The fairytale story of the peasant girl and her knight in shining armor is hardly a reflection of this desperate and disillusioned woman. How did she get from virgin girl to stripper and coke addict, dying to be 'wanted'? Playwright Penelope Skinner expertly tells us so through a serious of snapshots of this girl's life, progressing backwards. Brilliantly delivered, searingly written and deftly directed this is a painful, funny, poignant and achingly 'real' show. If you only see one monologue at the Fringe this year, this is the one to see. Sacha Voit The Origin of Species .....
John Hinton was part of the Tangram team behind Crunch, a surprise hit three years ago that took on the daunting task of providing the social history of the apple in an hour or so. Now, with assistance from the company's Artistic Director Daniel Goldman, he has taken on Charles Darwin solo, with only a guitar for support. In a charming show, he talks and sings his way through the voyage of the Beagle and the origin of species, as well as the great naturalist's life with songs and lashings of bearded humour. Subtly, as Hinton entertains, he educates and that makes a play with songs and a title almost as long as this review (we've shortened it!) a must-see for any parents with bright children aged from around 8 upwards. Philip Fisher |
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