Unlike anything else in Edinburgh this year, The River People bring an old gypsy wagon placed just off Chambers Street to tell an ancient tale of the beginning of the universe.As I approach the gypsy-styled theatre in a concrete courtyard, the sound of music can be heard. Walking into the tent attached to the wagon, the smell of damp cotton and candles abounds in the stuffy, atmospheric theatre. A lively folk guitar-violin duo interacts with the audience, raising their tempo until to a crescendo. This sets the tone of performance as a musical folk tale with puppetry, singing and magic.The fulcrum of the tale is a sad man whose life has lost direction, and, facing his darkest troubles, he tries to find the spark of life which he once felt. The show is packed with different types of puppets, all of which are beautifully crafted and skilfully animated; from a newspaper-made CEO hand puppet to the protagonist's childhood sweetheart beautifully crafted into a flower. The puppets are kept alive expertly as the protagonist fumbles through a nightmarish world. Interaction with the folk musicians also created comical moments and adds to the charm of the piece.The story was told through musical interludes and narration; however there are sub-plots that are not explained or dwelt upon enough. These contribute to a lack of empathy with the protagonist. Although the story deals with universal issues and the protagonist triggers these, the lack of depth to the characterisation leaves a small hole in the performance. Another concern is the uncomfortable nature of the venue: I would recommend getting there early to get a comfortable seat. However this did not prove a huge problem and could be argued to be part of the experience. This show is a unique in presenting theatre that is both playful and dark. The innovative venue helps to create a spectacle that should not be missed at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
