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| Edinburgh : A&E : Theatre: Reviews |
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Theatre listings > Sister, Sister
- Tour & World Premiere . Touring outdoor theatre is challenging: the space, the weather and even the crowd are difficult to predict. But Boilerhouse's spectacular show 'Sister Sister' rises to this challenge. It certainly has all the kit: industrial twin towers, video backdrop, crane hanging lights in the night sky, gut-shaking sound-system. And the show seems at home in its Brighton Festival site: an carpark framed by towers and tenements. The story is strong and universal enough to be told in images: two sisters caught in vicious rivalry until world events force them to snatch a final human contact. Video splashes colour and light, a thumping soundtrack powers the show and the direction has the courage to engage the audience and demand a reaction. Crucially, the standing crowd could see, hear and understand everything. It is a very physical show for the two actresses, involving heart-stopping aerial work. From their 'sports-hero' entrance through the crowd to final crash-mats touchdown, they give total commitment. Visually the show is striking (light, set, costume and props an integrated whole) and the complex technical demands are executed smoothly by a boiler-suit-clad groundcrew. My main reservation is the video content. The live-link video is excellent, allowing the audience to get close to the performances. But the pre-recorded material is little more than moving wall-paper (tired images of burning photographs and urban wastelands). It works when used to underscore live action, but doesn't stand up to being used in isolation. The technology could be applied more creatively. 'Sister Sister' has a big backdrop and big themes. Sometimes the brush-strokes seemed too large, lacking the detail that makes the universal human and specific. For all the scale, the show left little space for the characters. This absence meant that I saw, appreciated, was impressed… but wasn't really moved. But despite these reservations, 'Sister Sister' is a confident, unique
and powerful piece of environmental theatre. I recommend you experience
it for yourself, and see where it takes you. Theatre listings >
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