‘Concerned Others’ is a visual masterclass, one of the most innovative productions at this years festival – not to be missed. Tortoise in a Nutshell is a multi-award winning Edinburgh-based visual theatre charity dedicated to creating world-class visual theatre that ignites the imaginations of audiences around the globe. This performance is part of the Made in Scotland showcase
Scotland has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe. In communities across the country, families, loved ones, and clinicians support people suffering with substance addiction. Multi-award winners Tortoise in a Nutshell present Concerned Others, an intimate tabletop performance that shares the stories of critically underheard voices. Accounts that paint us as a nation struggling to recognise a deadly culture of shame, ignorance and misunderstanding surrounding addiction and drug-related death. Immersive soundscapes, shoebox installations, turntables, micro-projection and 32mm figures combine to create a multi-textured piece exploring a defining crisis.
Alex Bird’s dedication to the performance was outstanding. He was the vessel which allowed us to feel the emotional impact of the story, through subtleties such as precise intentional heavy breathing and widened facial expression. Alex sustained at intensity which drew the audience in, we could feel the pressure of the importance of delivering the participants stories, the work that had been put into the performance and the need to portray them right
The detail within the miniatures were outstanding, the use of these visuals alongside audio clips were particularly powerful. As an audience member you felt you were watching artistry at its finest. The use of live cameras had such an ephemeral feel which added an element of danger. Visually the performance was impactful, beautiful and innovative. The use of running in repetition was layered, complex and interesting. The blended use of miniatures, puppetry, video/audio material is visually enticing gluing your eyes to the stage. The underscore of the performance allowed the emotional journey to build leading to a climactic ending.
This performance expertly implants a message in your mind of a need for change. The message is not in your face. The use of multimedia and Bird on stage is simply a vessel for the real life experiences of those they have worked with. The piece feels self-effacing. Beautiful storytelling which puts people at the centre of its exploration.
‘Concerned Others’ is a thought provoking piece of theatre which uses extreme creativity to impact its message on audiences. There is an air of humility which truly lets the participants’ stories be the focus of the performance despite all of the inspiring multimedia and visual elements. It challenges stigma head on and tackles the topic of addiction in a unique manner making a memorable statement.
‘Concerned Others’ by Tortoise in a Nutshell is playing the Demonstration Room at Summerhall Aug 22nd-27th at 14:45. Grab your tickets here:
Theatre Scotland 
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