An inconspicuous townhouse in Fiveways plays host to the promenade performance Dancing in the Dark. It tells a touching tale of one family’s struggle to cope with love, loss and its own abnormalities.
The Fringe is all about taking a risk and Wired Theatre do it here to great success
The audience are welcomed in to the house by the affable Jean, keen to show us her paintings and give us the full guided tour. It is soon clear that not everything is going to go to plan with the arrival of Jean's domineering mother in law. After a tense few minutes a game of blind man's bluff is suggested and we begin our journey through the house.
Wired Theatre, veterans of the Fringe, show us how well they have honed their craft. The performances throughout are enjoyable and relationships painted skilfully. The action is effortless and, as an audience member, you never feel out of place or awkward. The scenes flow from room to room and we are guided along a family history that includes children's games of hide and seek, family parties and much more intimate, dramatic moments. The script is tight and although the company were silent in some of the scenes the dialogue still flowed well around these, would-be-awkward, moments.
This company is not scared to take risks. I suspect that these performers are well above the average age of Brighton Fringe performers but tackle subjects such as suicide, transsexuality and homophobia with boldness and aplomb.
The Fringe is all about taking a risk and Wired Theatre do it here to great success. Presented here is an intimate promenade performance and a company who understand the nuances of family life. A family drama that hits all the right notes.
