Fringe racecard 2007 (part 2)

So far we have had everything from a woman who can play American The Beautiful by sticking a kazoo where the sun don't shine, to a gang of Russians skinnydipping by moonlight in George's Dock, and all manner of song, dance and meta-theatrical action. But now it's time for a little more. The Curtain presents the second instalment of our guide to the Fringe.



Incarnat (Samuel Beckett Theatre)
Susan Sontag's book Regarding the Pain of Others is the unlikely inspiration for Incarnat, a dance theatre show by Brazilian company Lia Rodrigues. The source should be enough to suggest that puppy dogs and pretty flowers do not form a big part of the aesthetic here. Instead, the piece looks at the experience of suffering, and more importantly, the experience of watching someone else suffering, as the eight dancers take it in turns to conjure up their visions of psychic and bodily pain. Now, that might not be your ideal description of a night out, if you're looking for a headlong dive into the hard edge of contemporary performance, you've come to the right place.


La Clique (The Spiegeltent)
Over the years, the Spiegeltent has seen its cabaret stylings and circus skills, but La Clique comes pretty close to topping the lot. This collection of international performers includes David O'Mer, a "bathtub acrobatic" (beware any act that offers the front few rows the protection of a great expanse of waterproof plastic); "Captain" Frodo, a charming Bjorn Borg lookalike and contortionist; and local hero, Camille O'Sullivan – who despite the illustrious (is that really the word?) company, steals the show with some extra fine chantoozing. C'est craic, La Clique!



All Dolled Up (Project Upstairs)
If you've been paying attention, you will have noticed Panti slowly transforming into something a great deal more durable than just another drag queen over recent shows. In her last, In These Shoes, she created a sort of pomo presentation on the blondes that inspired her. But it was that show's gentle, evocative diversions into surprising West of Ireland autobiography that really clicked. Now, Panti is back with a show that promises to delve ever deeper into early years. Without letting up on the gags, hopefully.



Frozen Music (St. Mary's Abbey)
For anyone more comfortable with Samuel Beckett and classical strings, than drag queens, then a ticket to Frozen Music might be the best prescription. The show feature old Sam's Company, along with work from poets Eavan Boland and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, all performed by Geraldine Plunkett to music from cellist Geaspar Warfield.



Dog Show: Fido (Samuel Beckett Theatre)
Is this a little canine empire that we see emerging here? Actor and director, Garrett Keogh returns with the latest instalment in his Dog Show trilogy. This time around, the action focuses on the exploits of a dog called…Fido. Despite the commonplace nomenclature, he is a most unusual hound, a disreputable cocaine-fiend, given to sticking his muzzle into every bit of seediness that contemporary Dublin has to offer.


The Heart of Darkness (meet at the Fringe box office)
Operating way, way upstream, out of reach, deep in the jungle, is Gavin Kostick and one of his two Fringe contributions, The Heart of Darkness. Joseph Conrad's novella on the wages of colonialism – hope you are paying attention to Gavin, American – has already been turned into one mammoth work, Apocalypse Now. This latest production will see Kostick delivering Conrad's text (and we're guessing that means reading) in its entirety. Over the course of five hours and 30 minutes. Now, That's What I Call Fringe!