Bubblewrap and Boxes

Australian company Asking For Trouble has much in its favour in Bubblewrap and Boxes. A set comprised of large, medium and small cardboard boxes, ripe for manoeuvre and exploration; two performers highly skilled in clowning and acrobatics; and a storyline set in a mail room filled with post from around the world.

Yet somehow none of it is used quite to its full potential. The opening sequences are wonderfully silly, as the orderly postal worker (played with wide-eyed wonder by Luke O’Connor) endeavours to keep things tidy. His task hindered by the arrival of an enormous box which seemingly moves of its own accord. When a maverick young woman pops out (the bendy and acrobatic Cristy Flaws), all hell breaks lose.

There are some nice ideas along the way – postcards and letters are read out, imaginary journeys are taken to locations seen on postcards. But you have to wonder whether some of the younger children have a clue what’s going on, when assumptions are made about where the postcards hail from.

Overall, O’Connor and Flaws are lively enough to absorb most people most of the time – but you can’t help but think they could easily keep all of us engaged all of the time

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, until 21 Aug, 10.45am, £8–£9 (£7–£8).