Ockham's Razor: Tipping Point

Ockham’s Razor are a British physical theatre company specialising in unique performances utilising aerial equipment. They have returned to Edinburgh with five poles and five performers in their production, Tipping Point. The piece is staged in the round allowing an intimate connection between performers and the audience who encircle them.

A shocking mix of elegance, playfulness, strength and danger making it a true must-see this festival season

The company seem to have successfully tamed gravity as they flawlessly balance and drop inches from the ground, extracting audible gasps from the crowed. This delicate balancing act between danger and trust is set to a backdrop of haunting shadows and hypnotic music scored by Adem Ilhan and Quinta who have previously worked with the like of Bat For Lashes, Radiohead and Years And Years.

Although the thrill of the production lay in the actors precarious proximity to being hit in the face by a spinning metal pole or hurtling five meters to the ground, the skill and professionalism of the company made ‘on the edge of your seat’ viewing a little more comfortable. Amongst all of the danger and technical demand the performance was also enduringly playful and even humorous at times. All the performers graced the play space with a phenomenal charm which was compelling to watch. A stand-out performance, however, was provided by Edinburgh-based Emily Nicholl. Tipping Point is Nicholl’s first time working with Ockham’s Razor and really was a tremendous asset to the show with charisma and presence overflowing.

C scala was the perfect location; providing a stunning, atmospheric backdrop for the material. The high arched walls acted as a canvas for the shadows cast by the enchanting lighting designed by Phil Supple.

The entire creative team behind this performance have done a phenomenal job in designing a piece of genuinely exciting yet heartfelt theatre. Tipping Point is a production that reaches the terrifying height of contemporary physical theatre by a company leading the way in British circus performance. It provides a shocking mix of elegance, playfulness, strength and danger making it a true must-see this festival season.