Leo

★★★★
theatre review (edinburgh) | Read in About 2 minutes
Published 05 Aug 2012
33332 large
39658 original

You could say Leo's performer Tobias Wegner  has discovered a new dimension in physical comedy. Several dimensions might more accurately describe this dynamic show that throws you upside down, tilts you sideways and messes with your head in the most glorious, brain-tickling way.

Leo is a man trapped in a box. A side-on camera gives the audience a topsy-turvy view of the goings-on inside: when Leo sits down in his box, he floats against a wall in the projected image; when he braces himself in a one-handed stand against the floor, the projection shows him leaning casually against the wall. And so the idea of distorted gravity is gradually and mischievously introduced. His tie flies to one side when he appears to be standing upright. His hat is yanked away from him by some mysterious force. Soon, with a clown's curiosity, he begins to explore this new gravity-defying world, vaulting and throwing himself all over the place, levitating into the lotus position when he hears Indian music, using his new-found freedom to bounce around and boogie like a spaceman.

The best thing about Leo is that it fills the viewer with a childlike wonder; you can see throughout what tricks Wegner is up to but nevertheless wilfully believe in the magic version on screen. If ever you needed proof that new realms of imagination are alive and waiting to be discovered, this is it.