I always check the dance, physical theatre and circus section of the Fringe Festival guide first when I get my hands on a copy. Maybe it’s because I’ve always loved the idea of running away to the circus. However my love of aerial yoga gives me an understanding of the strength, dexterity and flexibility needed by aerial performers to create the shapes and partner work in shows like Ockham’s Razor.
I took my boys to see them in 2016 with their show Tipping Point, and we all still remember it today, which can’t be said about many festival forays. Delighted to see them back this year with the show This Time, my oldest two boys jumped at the chance to see them again.They have taken over St Stephens in Stockbridge and this beautiful decommissioned church gives the production the majestic back drop it deserves.
The four cast members range in age from 13 to 60 and the abilities of the youngest and the oldest members are inspiring just on their own.The exploration of time through autobiographical stories is the premise for the production punctuated with interludes of physical performance. They beautifully illustrate humility, love, kindness, patience, anger, frustration, despair, loss and sadness through the narration about an ageing grandfather, a new mother and a loss of a baby. Each story touches your heart and the addition of spoken word, physical theatre, dance and aerial acrobatics are carefully choreographed to support the true nature of the subjects.
My 10 year old is often more focused with the lighting and engineering feats of a set than he is of a production. However, he quickly recognised a piece of aerial acrobatics as a reference to a pendulum of a clock, signifying the passing to time.
Although it is recommended for 8 years upwards I would suggest it’s for fitting for 10 and above. A very funny reference to the difference between a prositute and prosecutor needed to be explained to my 9 year old as did what a stillborn baby was. Whilst I was happy to delve into this discussion after the show, I understand other parents may not have these sensitive discussions until their children are a bit older.
As a yoga teacher I can’t help but see yoga in everything and some of the philosophical aspects of The Yoga Sutras were present in the show. Ahimsa which means compassion or kindness); Svadhyaya which translates as self-study, contemplating and reflecting on interactions with other and reflecting on what we have learnt through something we have read or a persoabl experience; Asteya, non-stealing, which can be described as not stealing someone else’s time or taking advantage of their generosity; and Isvara pranidhana, surrendering to something higher and beyond ourselves. Allowing things to just be and not expecting immediate answers. Remaining open to life’s challenges and relinquishing control.
The name Ockham’s Razor’s comes from a logical principle attributed to the medieval philosopher William of Ockham. It states that two plausible theories, the simpler is preferable. It is called a razor because it cuts out unnecessary elements. As the autobiographical tales are shared, the audience partake in the physical and emotional journey; the stories are simple, there are no unnecessary additions, leaving you to feel only empathy for each story teller.
We were kindly gifted these tickets.
This Time by Ockham’s Razor
Performance Dates Thursday 1st – Sunday 25th August (not 6th, 13th, 20th), 15:00
Running time 70 minutes
Location Saint Stephens, 105 St Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5AB
