Celtic Caledonia: The Curse
Siamsoir Celtic Dance Company
C Venues

Siamsoir Celtic Dance Company is an Irish Dance group based in Edinburgh. In this show, they revisit the seventh-century battle between the Gaels and the Picts which led to the formation of Scotland.  The Gaels are living in Eire and, one hundred years after their queen was stolen by the fairy folk, the magic has left the land.  But they have heard that magic still exists over the seas in Caledonia, so they set sail, and when they arrive there they are met by the sitting tenants, the Picts.  

The two tribes are very easily recognised: the Gaels use traditional Irish dance (of the sort that inspired Riverdance) and the Picts use a more modern form of dance – a mixture of a New Zealand haka and ballet is probably the easiest way to describe it!  After a bit of romance and some worries about those folks from overseas taking our land, the Picts call for magical help and two battles take place – one using the last remaining magic of the fairy realm and one in the mortal domain. As the peoples intermingle the dance takes on a new form – a combination of both styles but something that is greater than both, proving that immigration is a force for good.

At times the music is too loud and masks the narration which is of course vital to understanding the story, but the dancing and energy of the whole show are outstanding and the performances are all great. See it.

Noir
Airealism
Gilded Balloon Teviot

Noir is a evocation of classic film noir through the mediums of physical theatre and aerial circus (trapeze, rope work and corde lisse).  It has a detective, a blonde, and some gangsters.  No plot, but quite frankly that's not you'll have come from.  The show is frustrating because the skill of the performers is high and quite often there are several different things taking place on stage at any one point, meaning you don't know where to look!  A simple stage gives the performers room to astound as at times they whirl overhead close enough to touch.  Even the non-aerial parts of the show are balletically performed, with umbrellas and cargo netting acting as props.  An accomplished show from a versatile band of performers.  

Chomp: A Zombie Opera
Fusion
C Venues

A scenario familiar to all – Zombiegeddon has arrived and the majority of the world has been consumed and / or turned into the ravening living dead.  There is, of course, a band of plucky survivors, here a military SURGE group comprising scientists who are trying to find a cure and soldiers, some of whom have slightly lost the plot.  To find the cure they must find the original case – Zombie Prime, or the king zombie, who, it turns out, retains his intelligence and actively leads and co-ordinates his zombie horde, most of whom are interested only in “brains”.

This production of Andy Evans' latest show is part of the Fusion Youth Theatre project and as such all the parts are played by a young cast, some of whom could well develop into strong actors; at the moment, the performances are not brilliant but, for the most part, not dire either.  At times the music is overly loud and drowns out the singing.  The story is amusing and deliberately cliché ridden – anyone who has ever seen a single zombie movie will recognise some of the set pieces.  Once you get used to the tongue-in-cheek nature, it's a case of settling down for an enjoyable romp.  The latter half of the show is much more enjoyable than the first half, perhaps because of the delightfully over-the-top performance of the king zombie himself.

Terry Pratchett's Lords and Ladies
Southampton University Students Union Theatre Group
C Venues

An adaptation of the Terry Pratchett book of the same name (but I guessed you'd worked that out).  Pratchett is an author whose work seems to divide people – you either love him or hate him, and if you're not a fan then quite obviously this play won't be for you.  If you are familiar with the Discworld and the Wizards and Witches then Lords and Ladies will probably need no introduction, but for those who may have forgotten, Magrat Garlick and King Verrence are getting married. Unfortunately, a group of women who probably should have know better, have opened a portal through which the elv... sorry Lords and Ladies (bad luck to use their name) have gained access to the Kingdom of Lancre.  Much hilarity ensues as our various heroes (chiefly the witches) battle to save the day.

The majority of the cast are excellent and perfect for their roles, but unfortunately the one who really needs to be good – witch Esme Weatherwax (on whom a lot of the plot depends) – is merely pedestrian.  She is wooden (therefore she must float on the water like a duck and must therefore be a witch) and seems to have been given the role merely because she can memorise the large number of lines she has.  Please don't get the feeling she is so bad that she spoils the show because she doesn't, but compared to Archchancellor Ridcully, the rude mechanicals and Magrat she's just not there.  The whole production could do with a bit of tightening up but perhaps this is just due to seeing one of the first Fringe performances and as they settle into the run they may become more relaxed.  Recommended.