Feast @ Arta

'Bite-sized theatre to accompany Arta's delicious tapas selection', was the running line for Feast, a selection of performances by Glasgow-based organisation, Ankur Productions. And that was exactly what the audience got: a platter of theatrical bites, with a menu that covered a talking lobster, adultery, arranged marriage, a woman coming to terms with her own death and a boy with a bladder problem, to identify only a few of the subjects on offer.

The range of acting abilities displayed by the cast was matched by the range of ethnic origins of those taking part - members of the cast having been sourced from Ankur's Community Workshops, which are committed to increasing ethnic awareness and diversity within arts and culture in Scotland. Directed by Cora Bisset, the collection was written by the cast during Ankur's 'Acts of Translation' writing group. For many it was their first time performing in front of an audience, and with this in mind, Feast was a great success.

What really brought each play together was the use of space within Arta's courtyard, and the simple but effective costume. The staging area altered between each play, taking advantage of the courtyard's high ceilings and pillared walls. Actors wormed in and out of the audience, and the small space allowed for intimate performances with a strong element of audience involvement. Small additions of costume provided great characterisation and atmosphere, such as cardboard cutout hairpieces, tailcoats and tophats, and a lobster costume made with pipe cleaner antenna and stuffed, satin, red gloves.

Feast was a lively and upbeat production; the fast pace, and change of spacing and subject matter kept the audience interested throughout, as did the use of simple costume, music and props. That there was a selection of tapas available to complement these food oriented productions was just an added bonus.