Fringe Review – Tutu (rating: 4/5)
Ballet is not for everyone but I love the athleticism, and these six guys are finely tuned dancers. They are classically trained but they totally take the P out of dancing. This is a show which capitalises on the discipline, but incidentally makes comedy out of it.
In any performing medium comedy is much harder than tragedy. This show delivers comedy in spades, but there is also a lot of point work and really beautiful balletic lines.
These Frenchmen are honed and fit, in fact like most disciplined dancers they all look like they may need a good meal.
Having watched ballet for decades I recognise the discipline, and it’s always impressive. In this one there are lots of gimmicks and some seriously good moves.
There are moments of classicism which are breath taking. A solo by one performer dangling from a tight rope and wearing white chiffon is the single most impressive piece of dancing I have ever seen. So elegant and very moving, you could hear a pin drop in the foyer.
This show is self-reverential. They make fun of Strictly Come Dancing and it’s hilarious. A tango scene features, as does some salsa. This is much better than watching dance on TV.
The costumes are whacky – lots of pink feathers and quick changes. There are plenty of lifts and a lot of levitation. The audience was hugely receptive, even the two German guys seated next to me who had to be hushed as they were talking constantly.
Additionally there were babies in the audience – infants, crying to be fed – ooh la la. Well, only in August in Edinburgh!
This is a very popular show as it is so inventive, and so very original. The choreography is spot on. Not all of the routines work – some segments of the performance don’t hit the mark, and are simply too esoteric, too Francaise!
Even so , impressive and energetic – highly recommended.
Tutu is daily at the Pleasance Courtyard, 4pm
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