• London
    • All
    • Plays
    • Musicals
    • Dance
    • Performance
    • Cabaret
    • Circus
  • Edinburgh
    • All
    • Plays
    • Musicals
    • Dance
    • Performance
    • Cabaret
    • Circus
  • Rest of World
  • Features
  • Team
  • Contact
  • Follow Us

  • Home
  • London
    • All
    • Plays
    • Musicals
    • Dance
    • Performance
    • Cabaret
    • Circus
  • Edinburgh
    • All
    • Plays
    • Musicals
    • Dance
    • Performance
    • Cabaret
    • Circus
  • Rest of World
  • Features
  • Team
  • Contact

Boulder, Pleasance Courtyard, review

August 6, 2019

The ancient Sisyphus myth meets visually beautiful execution in Half a String’s Boulder, however the show sometimes lacks precision in its storytelling. 

Boulder, with its highly developed visual identity and sophisticated musical soundscape, is a piece that’d easily satisfy both children and their parents. Younger audience members will love the big puppets and the techniques employed to manipulate it, as well as Avi Simmons’ voice (which sounds like that of the true Disney princess). Their adult companions will meanwhile be captivated by the beautiful atmosphere created by the different design components, and the minimalist animations.

However, although there is no doubt as to the talent of both cast and Boulder‘s artistic team (the puppetry, live music and set design really are all of the highest quality), a constant question of ‘What exactly am I watching?’ lingers and does not leave audience in peace. The issue is that Half a Spring clearly intend the show to tell a story and share a philosophy; they are not simply shooting for a piece that exclusively aims to awaken the senses. And unfortunately this goal is not achieved – it’s genuinely difficult to work out exactly what we are being presented with at multiple moments of the hour, even when the story is based on an ancient myth that I’m relatively familiar with.

This is not to say that the show is not enjoyable – it is to a high degree – but it cannot help but leave a feeling of anticlimax at the end. The grumpy central character, and his relationship with the boulder he has to roll up the hill, is silently explored throughout the whole performance – but a large part feels hidden by the lack of spoken word, and that part is the missing piece of the puzzle that I think may complete this show. 

Altogether, this iteration of Boulder seems like the basis for a great future show – with a superlative visual identity and atmosphere already developed. More attention could now be focused on really tightening the script and movement sections, to give the audience more clarity as to the exact narrative.

Share

Edinburgh  / Edinburgh Musicals  / Edinburgh Performance  / Featured

Žad Novak
Žad Novak is currently studying Comparative Literature and German at the University of Glasgow, with Theatre Studies as her additional subject. When not at university, she volunteers/works as an assistant (to the) director in professional theatres in Zagreb, Glasgow and Berlin. Her passion lies in brining theatre, literature and film from non-English-speaking countries into the spotlight, believing that exposing people to artworks from other places helps battle inequality and xenophobia. She is one of the founders of Glasgow International Student Theatre, a theatre society at University of Glasgow aiming to stage translated plays from around the world. Nevertheless, none of this is to say that she cannot enjoy a good production of Shakespeare. She is deeply, deeply grateful to all the amazing baristas across Edinburgh, the unsung heroes that make her Fringe-Binge possible! When she is not involved in making theatre, she loves to talk about past productions, and complains about missing ‘the theatre life’. Recently, she has found relief in writing reviews. Her family and friends are grateful.

You might also like

Beat, Pleasance Dome, review
August 13, 2019
Taiwan Season: Fish, Summerhall, review
August 13, 2019
Heroin(e) for Breakfast, Pleasance Dome, review
August 12, 2019

Leave A Reply


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


  • Home
  • Reviewers
  • Invite Us