FringeReview Scotland 2024
The Most Dangerous Animal in the World
Jazzville Productions
Genre: Outdoor and Promenade
Venue: Surge Festival
Festival: FringeReview Scotland
Low Down
Quite a performance feat to get an absurd concept onto a street in Glasgow and not look out of place… Actually, perfectly fits in as a sheep in a crate is looking for their herd before getting the crowd onside, with costume, props and a cheeky interactive presence to wow and enthral in equal silly measures. But it leaves you with a very powerful message – don’t follow that herd any more!
Review
Having been introduced by an enticing voiceover, we are intrigued by what dangerous animal we are about to witness, seduced by the danger, but caught out by a sheep. From the crate in the middle of the street emerges a sheep. You stay and stand still, wondering what is about to come next as there is an immense skill on display as the sheep starts by bleating, behaving exactly like a sheep and engaging increasingly with their audience. People lean in, caught in the display of what feels strange but there are familiar patterns beginning to emerge of connection between audience and performer. The skill on display is sumptuous.
The first indication that we may be in for something special was the chasing of an imaginary buzzing fly which led into the jazz interlude and dance: on the streets of Glasgow that jazzed the whole thing up. Caught by our performer we were now willing them on. This was street theatre at its best. An idea that on paper sounds pretty daft but in reality, makes that connection with the audience and brings them into the theatricality of it, until the message is delivered with great skill.
The interaction with the audience was at a premium as our sheep went through the selfie culture, taking someone’s mobile phone off them, then trying to call “ma” as they are lost from their herd, before the strains of a Tina Turner classic, followed by a conga finish us up with that message – don’t follow the herd, be an individual.
Even the send off as our performer began the slow walk away was beautiful in its execution. Leaving us all behind as they disappear into another crowd of people seemingly undisturbed by a sheep walking on its hind legs amongst them which appeared to ironically underscore the point being made here.
But the true piece of genius lay in the connection with the crowd. Halfway through there was one man who was dancing along, and had the look of a man not unused to the 1990’s and a disco biscuit. He was transfixing and had the cheeky look of a man with the moves of his time and the performance of a lifetime, every day on offer. He began to creep towards our sheep at one point and a lanyard stepped in to gently usher him to a place which was more appropriate for his enthusiasm. It struck me that here was a response to the whole thing which was quite special. This shows the eclectic nature and the democratic profile of an event that attracts all sorts – and long may it continue. But please let us not count the sheep and miss the revolution, as we, like my transfixing man, have our own disco, in our own heads and behave as if nobody is watching but hope they don’t miss our individual beats.
