Every year theres about three or five Fringe shows that feel like they could open up on the West End tomorrow and do fine. Beautiful Burnout is one of those shows. With its brutally kinetic fighting choreography, taut script, immense production values, and intensely focused performances it quickly delivers a knockout punch to the audience and its competition this Fringe. The story of Cameron as he journeys from being the new guy at the gym to a critical professional bout, its the camaraderie of his fellow boxers which drives the show. Ajay, Neil, Dana and Cameron all submit to the grueling tutelage and punishment of Bobby Burgess, a grizzled trainer whose My way or the highway mentality will shove all but the most dedicated out. What makes the show are the frequent training and fighting scenes, which allow everyone involved from the performers to composers (Underworld) and designers to go all out. With a simple platform with a turntable built into it, and a not complex video wall, the space always feels alive with action; add in the pulsing music, it makes you want to get in the ring with the cast. Once you reach the climatic bout, you are spent, which makes the uppercut to the emotional jaw so very painful!
