One Step Before the Fall @ Zoo (Aviary)

One Step Before the Fall is a powerful piece exploring Muhammad Ali’s rise and fall – or something along those lines. Personally, the only link there appeared to be the boxing, but then, my knowledge of Muhammad Ali’s biography is quite limited.

Nonetheless, that doesn’t stop this from being a high-energy solo performance that is almost frightening in its intensity. The intimacy of the venue allows it to be in lethal proximity to the audience, allowing it to become even more aggressive. 

Admittedly, certain parts could be tighter, in that they don’t appear necessary to tell the story or can be executed slightly faster to avoid deflating the momentum it gathers through repetition.

Markéta Vacovská deserves congratulations for creating this piece – along with Lenka Dusilová who provides the haunting and ethereal vocals.

This is one of three shows premiering in the UK as part of the Czech dance-physical theatre showcase at this year's Fringe.