Whimsy and melancholy meet in this wondrous “broken fairy tale for broken people”. Magnus fixes bells in a land of broken toys until, one day, he can’t. What follows is a journey into and through grief, replete with broken hearts, wishes and impossibly tall towers. Magnus’ narrative – in which he encounters friends and challenges aplenty – is interwoven with a deeper story; the author’s voice, the author’s pain, slips into the fairy tale, shaping the story beautifully. I won’t spoil the show’s secrets: it unfolds with such precision and care, you’ll want to experience the process, to accompany Magnus on his journey, for yourself. The ending is a triumph, leaving me in tears, yet feeling strangely elated.

Summerhall, until 31 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Andy Leask]