Another Sight

Sunday 3rd August 20.45

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When compiling our Darkchat itinerary I always try to choose a variety of different styles. For our first full day of this year's festival we started with the Big Bite Sized Breakfast show, The Comic Strip Presents, Wodehouse in Wonderland and Garden Party. So far, so good if a little safe. So, I wanted to pick something a little unusual to provide that true "only in Edinburgh experience".

This explains why three of us are standing outside Zoo Playground as dusk falls whilst a member of the Blind Theater explains what is about to happen.

Basically we are about to enter the world of the blind and are lead to our seats in the dark. Those words do not convey the feeling of helplessness and disorientation (which is clearly the point) of having to hold the person in front to be deposited into your seat.

Similarly, when the actors start speaking, very close to you, you have absolutely no idea where they are, or what they look like. So, suddenly you are relying on different senses, hearing, and oddly smell , eg burning toast (I have to rely upon my fellow Darkchatters for this information as I have no sense of smell!). And because you can't see the actors your imagination is trying to imagine what they look like.

Blind Theater are a Brazilian company so English is not their first language which makes you concentrate even harder than usual. If I am being critical, I didn't particularly believe in the play. I thought the story of both a maid and her female boss dealing with cancer at the same time was a little too melodramatic with the ending a touch too neat.

However, having said the above I was really pleased to have chosen Another Sight. Good theatre is about experiencing the unexpected and the audience were taken out of their comfort zone.

If you fancy a trip into the unknown and want something you won't get in any other show at this festival head to Zoo Playground. What you experience will stay with a long time! (DC)

Another Sight is playing daily at ZOO Playground until August 24th (not Mondays) - details here