Extinguish

Despite its listing in The Fringe brochure, Extinguish is not physical theatre. It is not led by the performer's body, but the words, which are equal measures of storytelling and slam poetry. The one clowning sequence, which uses movement not script, comes towards the end. This is not, however, a condemnation of Ezra LeBank/Lynx Co's aesthetic.

There are weaknesses in Ezra Lebank's monologue: the lack of a named director seems reflected in the lack of focus, as the stories wander over five distinct stages and countless characters. The quality of the writing is variable but mostly solid: each discreet narrative a gentle step towards a comprehensive study of last moments.

Each character is on the point of death: Lebank is most engaging as southern folk caught up in events beyond their comprehension and artists torn apart by their aspirations, bringing life to the dying and meaning to the absurdity of sudden death.

There are seeds of brilliance in both performance and script, dazzling moments rather lost in the loose structure and a too consistent mood of mild surprise and acceptance. The finale, announcing that death is nothing to be feared, is made too clearly, making this too much like a sermon and without a suitable dramatic intention. Nevertheless, there is great promise in Lebank's energy and ambition.