The Factory

After last year's engaging Druthers, Precarious' blunt economic parable is disappointing. While their approach - fusing rough-hewn choreography, jittery multi-media and over-blown speech - is fascinating, the Fringe atmosphere exposes The Factory as earnest, too long and pompous.

The promising critique of consumerism is laboured. The proposed battle between the human spirit and the system is reduced to a matter of economics - a conclusion as soulless as the machinery that Precarious condemn. Solid performances throughout cannot compensate for under-developed characterisation, and the fragments of revelation are glimmers of brilliance in stodgy narrative.

Precarious is a young company with tremendous potential - the combination of physical theatre and script is accompanied by ferocious music and executed with baroque density. Unfortunately, obviousness is mistaken for accessibility and intensity for meaning. An intermittingly interesting evening for fans of experimental theatre, but a poor introduction to the company, and a work in need of considerable pruning.

Zoo Southside, 662 6892, until 25 Aug, 8.30pm, £10.