Tourniquet @ Summerhall

Review by Eric Karoulla | 06 Aug 2013

In the light of day, Summerhall's hallways look innocent enough. Nonetheless, if you are locked in a room with Abattoir Fermé near midnight, it quickly becomes a place where anything can happen.

According to Wikipedia, a tourniquet is a screwing and constricting device used during medical procedures that will then essentially cut off blood flow or pressure from a particular limb or extremity. Abattoir Fermé's Tourniquet most definitely does that; they give a performance so powerful it is overwhelming, intensely terrifying, and absolutely brilliant. Running into that time of night called 'the witching hour,' Tourniquet is disturbing and captivating – a very intelligent and well-constructed thriller. You can't look away, you want to see it through to the end, but you really don't want to see what happens. However, unlike a Hollywood thriller or horror film, there is no catharsis – no happy ending. It leaves its anger and hate and elegant violence hanging in the air long after the applause fades. 

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, the devil, or paranormal activity, this will keep you on edge like nails scratching on a chalkboard. 

Be afraid. Be very afraid. [Eric Karoulla] 

Tourniquet: Abattoir Fermé @ Summerhall Main Hall, 11.20pm, until 25 Aug (except 12 and 19), various prices, 18+ http://festival.summerhall.co.uk/event/tourniquet-2013/