Inspired by Shakespeare’s Sonnet 65 (‘how this rage shall beauty hold plea/whose action is no stronger than a flower’) Jan De Schynkel’s third collaboration with Scottish Dance Theatre conjures spirits from another world in an exciting and colourful exploration of the supernatural, the surreal and the downright weird.  Starting with mischievous sprites performing on tiny stools we take a journey with the company of six exploring the unknown worlds and their relation to our material surroundings.

The choreography effortlessly juxtaposes dance styles to show the fragmentation between worlds as spirits interact with inanimate objects made animate and help release the history trapped in an old baronial mansion walls.

The set is beautifully designed consisting of a reversible screen utilised for shadow play, film projection and creating a decadent living room, and a mobile window frame that is used to shift focus and explore the restriction and claustrophobia.

The production as a whole is packed with energy and a couple of interesting innovative concepts, the most noticeable being dancers who inflate and deflate each others muscles using balloons.  Filled with tenderness and intrigue this performance is reminiscent of the styles of filmmaker David Lynch and choreographer Pina Bausch and is sure to capture the imagination of both the hardened dance fan and the novice.

Zoo@Southside
Aug 15-20, 17:00 (37mins) £7.00 (£5.00)