Edinburgh Fringe 2024
The Last Beginning
LSU Physical Theatre
Genre: Acrobatics, Aerial Theatre, Dance, Dance and Movement Theatre, Performance Art, Physical Theatre, Youth Theatre
Venue: Greenside Venue
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
Emerging from the stage at Greenside Lime Studios is a group of students all the way from Louisiana, Baton Rouge – ready to perform a fully charged devised performance piece that incorporates multi disciplines of theatre all within forty-five minutes. The Last Beginning, is a story of survival, self-discovery and hope as the students demonstrate their ability to evolve in an uncertain world when human kind is dwindling by the hour. Expect acrobatics, a fully shaped buckyball and choral ensemble contemporary movement.
Remaining shows fall on: 5th – 24th August.
Venue: Greenside Lime Studios
Review
As you enter the dime lite theatre, the silver shaped buckyball dominates the stage, with six lifeless bodies, standing to attention; concealed in their own cloth cocoons – waiting to emerge into their new existence; the Pupa into the butterfly. Slowly, one by one they are released by a survivor of civilisation into a new existence with remaining survivors. This initial impact is supported with futuristic projections, designed by Jesse Alison – interchangeable and forever supporting this existential world.
What soon transpires through movement is that some individuals seek new connections, whilst others doubt their new formed bonds with ‘unknown’ life forms. This story shines, when ensemble unison work is at play – through timely and moving sequences choreographed by members of the ensemble and physical theatre Director Nick Erickson. In moments, the motifs are moving and executed with commitment. Subtle placement of feet and tender ideas are explored when the cast ‘seek’ out other survivors through fixed choral gazing of eye contact and arms interlocking – the desperate cling to humanity.
For me personally, the buckyball addition was not needed and at times probably required further rehearsal in such a small space. However, you can’t help but admire the ambition of this cast and their talent in multidisciplines. So much content was presented simultaneously, not always aligning with the through-line at times – but the cast pull through and present a series of thoughtful physical theatre movements. A highlight was the mourning ritualistic sequences, as one of the tribe is taken by a furious conflict. This moment was supported beautifully with the composers’ (Olivia Lunsford, Chance Fillastre and Caitlin Church) underscore having the desired affect; the turbulent roller-coaster of unity, conflict, sabotage and ultimately regret.
Perhaps some of these more tender moments could have been highlighted individually? For instance, the quieter more simple mime sequences between the ‘new kid on the block’ and remaining survivors and solo dance work by the choreographer of the piece? This was a lovely moment when the student director and choreographer Ava Heath came through, concealed by her draping cloth hood, fighting the conflict of the disintegrated community around her through a succession of beautifully choreographed elegant motifs.
What was unshakable was the the casts’ determination to deliver a physical theatre piece with multiple tricks and treats, from aerial silk to lightsabers; so much to feast your eyes on – prepare to be entertained and moved as these characters find their way to the end of the world and beyond. Will they be united or will the ‘pressure’ of the new alliances become all too fatal?
