**** (4 stars)
A man in overalls is standing in front of three metal panels. The radio is playing what sounds like a discussion of football managerships’ tactics. Suddenly a large pole appears behind the screen and is chucked over into the Man’s space. He immediately banishes it to the outer darkness. A stream of other objects follows, all meeting the same fate: it seems as though the Man’s space must be kept clear of all extraneous items…
The object-thrower is revealed as a Young Man in a scarlet tracksuit: he doesn’t seem to appreciate the Man’s desire for order, but revels in creating disorder and generally Having Fun. He is soon kitted out in a set of overalls, and the two start to co-operate as Dolly Parton belts out Nine to Five – if only the workplace could always be this much fun!
The relationship between the Man (Robbie) and Young Man (Alfie) goes through many phases. At times playful, at others combative, alone and together the two dance – though ‘dance’ is insufficient to describe the mixture of acrobatics, clowning, gymnastics, antics and risk-taking these two enjoy showing to us. Joy, anger, fear, hurt, loneliness, unwarranted nastiness, a growing mutual affection, a caring tenderness towards each other are all displayed without words: at the end of the show both parties have grown in their relationships with themselves and with each other.
In some ways, The Show for Young Men is very much a show for men, especially the ones who find it impossible to express in words anything about their feelings, both positive and negative. I personally found the recurrent recorded football talk very distracting, though for many people it might have been an ignorable background noise. I found the use of music much more meaningful [but then, I’m a musician, not a football follower!]
What was staggeringly impressive was Alfie’s physical skills and absolute trust in Robbie: never doubting that he would be held, caught, supported, brought safely to earth, no matter what he was doing. An added bonus was a song from him halfway through – not all the words were clear, but it seemed to be about being aware of ‘the warning signs’: a message to us all, I feel.
Robbie Synge (man) and Alfie (young man) were not only performing amazing physical feats, but also moving – whirling! – the component parts of the set around them as they did so. All in all, GuestHouse Projects in co-production with Aaben Dans, Denmark have produced a superb show which I hope enthrals and amazes audiences both in the UK and Denmark.
It’s a lovely way for me to end this year’s Imaginate Festival. Congratulations to everyone involved in making it happen, and roll on 2026!
Imaginate Children’s Festival: The Show for Young Men, Festival Theatre Studio, Edinburgh, Runs until Sunday 1st June for more information go to: https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/the-show-for-young-men
ScotsGay Arts 