Light, Pleasance Dome

By Amy Stow

Ad Infinitum's Light, at the Pleasance Dome, is designed for both deaf and hearing audiences, telling a tale rooted in Edward Snowden's surveillance revelations. Drawing on themes from anime, 1984 and The Matrix, perhaps with a bit of Stephanie Meyer's The Host thrown in for good measure, this production shows a family torn apart by the hungry desire for totalitarianism, where thoughts can be captured and minds can be controlled. Torture, bereavement and death run amok before our eyes, in a tale told entirely through light, mime, and the occasional projected text.

Torches, light sabres, beams, headlights and shadows are all used to astonishing effect in Light to generate quick bursts of energy, to set different scenes, to keep the pace galloping along, and create the eerie feeling of distrust, confusion and despair. Whilst I wasn't wild about the dystopian story, and was rather confused myself for much of the production, it does all come clear in the end, and the technical daring and skill generated by co-artistic director George Mann deserves the greatest respect and admiration. Moreover, it is pleasing to see a play that is accessible for the hard of hearing, although the soundscape that complements the action (designed by Chris Bartholomew) is simply superb.

With such a flurry of activity every second, I couldn't believe there were only five actors on stage, managing the lights in this intensely physical performance. They are to be applauded for being so slick and deft, despite spending much of the time in total darkness themselves. An awe-inspiring concept and accomplished production, Light no doubt will sell out for the rest of the run. Get a ticket if you can.

★★★★

Light (@TheatreAdInf)

Pleasance Dome

17:15 (1 hour)

Until August 25th

@PostScriptJour

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