Islands in the Stream: Derevo: Fringe

Islands in the Stream: Derevo: St Stephens (Venue 8) Times vary.

0131 226 0000 www.edfringe.com

1 hour 20 minutes No interval
Review: Mark Courtice, 14 August 2003

Hello Sailor Derevo are part of a cohort of companies that are redefining physical theatre with a European flavour at Edinburgh and beyond. This, their latest show, explores the world of water, and as usual there are some fantastic images, limpid, beautifully controlled, marvellously clever.

We are in a sub-Popeye world of sailors, ships and the seaside. Androgenous shaven headed beings in white bell bottoms, tumble, collide, carry and dance with each other. Occasionally we see green lumpy things that could be vegetable, or undersea animals. Props designed to look sweet and naive suggest ships and anchors and wheels. This all runs a danger of being camp and twee - a danger not always successfully avoided.

Derevo have used their skills in the past to explore how theatre can tell us important things about our world and our place in it, and although a jolly time is not to be derided, this show could do with a bit more weight.

The show is constructed with a succession of short scenes (mainly based round one idea), each followed by a blackout. If this is intended to add weight it does not work, merely tending to break up the flow.

The music by Roman Dubinnikov is hypnotic and beguiling and is very well used by these artists at the top if their game.

The physical skills are impeccable, and there is a clear sense of a company sharing an aesthetic, so they seem to communicate telepathically, giving the dance an edge and precion that is most impressive.

This show had to move from the original venue at the Assembly rooms, as amongst other problems they were oppressed by the huge chandelier there. Derevo should be seen in the best surroundings for their work, but perhaps a more robust show with stronger ideas would have been able to make the space their own.

2003-08-15 19:55:30