Light

★★★
theatre review (edinburgh) | Read in About 2 minutes
Published 19 Aug 2014
33332 large
121329 original

The Pleasance Queen Dome offers audiences some of the worst sightlines to be found in Edinburgh all month. With this being the case, it was an unfortunate, albeit somewhat appropriate, decision to book a show as reliant on visuals as Light is into the venue. Inspired by Edward Snowden's surveillance revelations, it could be thought fitting that this production from Theatre Ad Infinitum, already drenched in darkness as it is, should remain partially hidden from those who've paid to see it.

Like any work of fiction set in a dystopian future, the plot here functions as a warning about the direction in which society is heading. A "Beloved Leader" conspires to exert control over his subjects' "mind space", and it's up to a plucky resistance movement to ensure that mass enslavement doesn't come to pass. Little humanity is recognisable in any of the characters, even the most sympathetic ones favouring impossibly concise language and swift, robotic motion.

Bleak as this material is, it's message is hardly original. Although billed as "a story of love, betrayal and technological power", Light's narrative is of little concern to audiences gathering in their droves, hoping to experience technical innovation. These people are unlikely to be disappointed as the staging of the play is an immense achievement, its energetic cast darting in and out of shadow to a variety of immaculately timed sound effects. The skill and mastery of all involved soon starts to feel somewhat repetitive, however. If only there was a solid storyline to keep us engrossed.