Bromance

• Donald Hutera
• 4 August 2014

This article is from 2014.

Fresh, likeable Edinburgh Festival Fringe dance debut from young male circus school grads

Meet the members of the all-male Barely Methodical Troupe. Winners of Circus Maximus, the UK’s first circus competition, they handily come in three sizes: small (Beren D’Amico), medium (Charlie Wheeller) and large (Louis Gift).

The contrast works well in this likeable debut show. These fellows are young, cute, fit and skilled. To a soundtrack of go-down-easy coolness they play around with notions of masculinity, trust and risk, from an opening analysis of handshakes to a series of tricky balances and corkscrewing back-flips.

As the resident strongman Gift is especially adept at swinging and catching D’Amico’s wiry, compact body. Wheeller, aptly-named, has a great partnership going with the Cyr wheel. In one of the most effective routines he temporarily shelters, in turn, the other two inside it as it revolves in an ever-diminishing circle. Later he’s placed on his back with legs in a lotus position, being used as a springboard by his mates.

Barely Methodical might not yet evince the resonance and maturity of other circus outfits, but then how could they? As an inaugural effort Bromance has a freshness and appeal that bodes well for their collective future.

Underbelly, Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, until 25 Aug (not 11, 18), 4.55pm, £13–£14 (£12–£13).