A show of captivating twists and turns

Aug 1 2007 by David Bullock, Evening Chronicle

Skitzy at The Sage Academy of Performing Arts

A LOCAL production company called Benchmark House Productions is taking a show to the Edinburgh Festival this year. I decided to check out one of their preview nights, a decision I’m glad I made.

Under the direction of Charles Hindley, this crew of talent has created a play with an extraordinary array of delights to satisfy a veritable spectrum of theatregoing needs.

The play tackles mental health issues and takes place within some form of prison, the minds of characters on the edge, or the personal dark place we all fear.

Interjections via a projected image suggest some sinister controlling force is messing with the minds of the cast, and what a cast it is.

The dark comedy drama is played out very well, each character adding his or her own special ingredient, making this a feast not to be missed.

There are laughs aplenty if dark twisted humour is your cup of tea. If it is not, open your mind and quench your thirst for high-quality theatre with this show.

From dryness to haunting flashbacks, physical buffoonery, some nice absurdism and even full-frontal nudity, the audience is captivated throughout, not knowing what interesting twist the tale will take the next moment. Quality turning points and an unexpected climax and resolution round off this brilliant show.

The production can be experienced at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, where the company will be performing at The Royal Scots Club between August 5 and 11 at 11.15am.

Tickets are available from the Edinburgh Fringe official website – www.edfringe.com – and from the venue’s own box office: (0131) 526 6152. Check out Benchmark House’s website for details: http://www.myspace.com/benchmarkhouseproductions