Vital Theatre (no relation to George Dillon's company) was formed in London by a group of Japanese expatriates. Breath, described as "a trembling live event", is exactly that: an astounding celebration of life at the microscopic level. Three stage performers recreate in separate dance sequences the journey of sperm to egg, growth in the womb and the spasms of blood cells as disease attacks them. This sounds like a recipe for disaster, but director Shin Azumi and choreographer Takeshi Koga realise their vision with staggering success. The onstage ballet is matched by soundscapes of abstract noise, and is performed against the magnificent projected backdrop of Miki Yoshimura's liquid art compositions. Even with the performers' faces hidden from view, Vital has created the most remarkable visual phenomenon of this year's Fringe
Written for The Independent.
Copyright © Ian Shuttleworth; all rights reserved.
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