EDINBURGH 2012: BWW Reviews: RAINBOW, Zoo Southside, August 13

There's not much easy about Rainbow in the whole; none of the three characters come out clean. The mind that came up with this story has quite some imagination - some very grim imagination. The bright red tops of the people promoting the show take on a different significance after you see it; they seem like they are blood-stained.

The title brings to mind colours and lights or the sun coming out but this story is dark and each character’s story is a different shade of grey. The three characters seem worlds apart, this is emphasised by each performing on a separate block. As the light moves from one character to the next they begin their monologues and each character’s story brings with it a completely different energy.

The darkness of the story is pierced with pin-pricks of humour. Even as the most horrific scene – of this or indeed any play I’ve seen – unfolds, there is dark humour to be found. Through her writing and directing Emily Jenkins has got the combination just right to stop you being overwhelmed by the harrowing story.

If I'd give one piece of advice it would be to sit on the side closest to the entrance. Not so you can subtly slip out; more in the hope that you won’t have quite such a sweaty experience as I had sat on the far side. There’s every chance that it’s just as hot no matter where you sit but don’t say you weren’t warned! In a way it felt as though the temperature was being employed as a theatrical device to add to the intensity of the piece – not that it requires any help. Whether theatrical trick or simply the result of the combination of a packed room and theatre lights the heat brought you physically out of your comfort zone to go alongside what the play was doing mentally.

It is harrowing, stomach churning and grimly realistic but is somehow not depressing. To say I liked or enjoyed it I would need to be a psychopath but it was excellent, what I would call a hard-core play. If you’ve had enough of comedy and whimsical shows but equally if you have only been watching serious shows go and see Rainbow, it’s like an anti-treat.

 

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