Tabu @ Leith Walk

Containing none of the lavishness nor the complex layers of design and costume of Cirque du Soleil, and the all the better for it, NoFit State present the third in their Fear trilogy – I will be bad.

The notion of fear motivated director Firenza Guidi to explore how fear keeps us alive, and the transformation of our fear into the desire to be bad. Unfortunately, though this may have led the process of creation, it does not translate into the narrative of this work. It does not need to – the sheer awe-inspiring feats and genuine connections between the performers make this a gut-achingly good experience.

Staged promenade style, throughout the performance cheeky stewards and performers push the audience round and about to ensure the best view and experience of each act. Despite a sore neck, the presentation of classic routines is worth the pain: tightrope, trapeze and fire-eating. The whole cast rocks out on the trampoline, portraying rebellion and madness, and the suspended pole work of the men is sublime.

The seamless and nonchalant hoisting of rigging by the performers in real performance time with the crew adds to the rawness and true circus feel of this work. Popcorn abounds, in the audience as well as in the performance. Voice over poetry and the live rock music generate a soulful, dark atmosphere; if only the words actually related to the work itself.