Opinion: Drunken Live Art Style

Given its long term and co-dependent relationship with the artist, and its profound short term effects on physiology, alcohol seems a natural inspiration for physical theatre. There are even martial arts based on the slap-stick motion of the drunk and, as Bryony Kimmings demonstrates, work made while inebriated has its own quality.

Kimmings' Seven Day Drunk takes a scientific approach to intoxication: one lucky audience member does get to down Kimming's daily intake during the show, and the grand finale - a mass snog - certainly captures that last dance at the student disco atmosphere.

Since her last Fringe success, Sex Idiot, revealed her relationship history in unsparing detail, it is typical of Kimmings not to make broad points about the demon drink but get down to her own problems. Her mash up of Live Art, stand up and fall down performance lends itself to pissed up comedy: physical theatre, however, can exploit the more serious impact of alcohol.

Paper Birds, one of the most accesible companies to grace the National Review of Live Art, have Thirsty. Starting from verbatim tales of drunken fun and debauchery, they craft a three-handed tale that is intimate and intense. Meanwhile, the good circus folk of La Putyka conjure the atmosphere of the Czech pub. And of course, The Ballet Ruse get steaming.

Of course, drunken behaviour is not at all funny, but as a Fringe alternative to stand up boasting, there's a chance that a buzzed ballerina, a wasted Live Artist or a chemically inconvenienced clown could be your new best friend.