Review: Lewis Major: Lien

Breaking the fourth wall isn’t a new trick. Belgian theatre group Ontroerend Goed left some Edinburgh audience members triggered and terrified after their memorable 2011 show, Internal, exploring intimacy and actor-audience boundaries. But there is beauty in the simplicity of Lien by Australian dance company Lewis Major Project: a ten-minute pause in your day for a one on one chat and solo performance from a dancer. It’s deliberately not passive entertainment but it’s not confronting either – unless eye contact and sitting on a stage are your idea of hell. It’s more a gentle check in, then watching some stunning, athletic and balletic dance. 

Dancer Clementine Benson asks questions and answers a couple before she begins her sculptural movement to music by Debussy. That’s probably far too many spoilers already. Plus it will be different for everyone. 

Benson is also performing in Triptych at night and we talk about how an intense run like the Fringe pushes performers, helping them grow creatively. Even the slowing down has power, and the bite-size show feels like sipping a quick, clean juice shot. Don’t be surprised if you need to use the chill out room they offer afterwards to come back to reality.