skinnyfest 3 . En Forme

Your trusty Encyclopaedia Britannica (or, alternatively, your Google search engine) will tell you that Kafka's characters are: "desperately struggling against an overwhelming power"; that they "fail to establish communication with others"; that "their world erupts in violence because beneath normal everyday routine there lurks a violence and barbarity".

However, if you haven't swotted up on Kafka before En Forme you may find the show leaves you feeling empty and disappointed. It is formed by many elements: a bed, a couch, an armchair, a mattress; a dancer positioned on each item of furniture; a pointlessly slow start; a form of dance that makes each character look like their movements are being controlled by some external force.

If you do happen to be acquainted with Kafka's themes you may see what Didier Theron, the director/choreographer, is trying to achieve but, even then, this show will still look like a work in the early stages of experimentation. There are some mildly amusing moments and the dancers are more than competent at their craft but this piece does nothing to showcase any latent talent.