An initially empty set is populated by boiler suit-wearing forty-something Robbie, bringing out wheeled panels and corrugated plastic tubes to convey an industrial site against a sonic backdrop of football punditry. Sneaking impishly into proceedings comes 10 year-old Alfie to inject playfulness. The show rests on the physical interaction between the two, an exchange of emotion and experience embodied by the soundtrack switching back and forth from the football to Belle & Sebastian and Dolly Parton. It is captivating and mesmeric, with the constant motion of both the set and the protagonists themselves: at once a moving meditation and a really useful conversation starter. (Other than Alfie, there were no young men in the room today: bring them while you can, Edinburgh…)

Assembly @ Dancebase, until 24 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Bruce Blacklaw]