Out of His Skin

• Kelly Apter
• 16 August 2013

This article is from 2013.

2Faced Dance Company explore dark side of life

Each time 2Faced Dance Company returns to the Fringe, it has stepped up a gear. From a slightly immature start, it has blossomed into a professional company with strong dance technique and ambitious ideas.

But in some ways, Out of His Skin is a bit too ambitious. In the normal run of things, a piece like this would form one part of a double or triple bill, running at 25–30 minutes maximum. Here, it’s stretched out for an hour, and it’s just too long.

This would be less of a problem were the work not so unrelentingly dark – literally. Striking at first, with sharp squares marking out the stage, the lighting design becomes locked into its own world of grey intensity, which means we catch none of the emotions displayed on the dancers’ faces in this highly charged work about what it means to be a man. But even in the half-light, the skilled partnering and dramatic falls from a high tower look impressive, and the energy driving the piece along is palpable

This all-male company has much to offer, with powerful performers, dynamic choreography, and interesting musical choices – but they need to shed a little light on the matter.

Zoo Southside, 662 6892, until 26 Aug (not 14, 21), 3.15pm, £12–£14 (£10–£12).