Now this one doesn’t sound like it will be a laugh a minute but I think, if sensitively done, it should be superb. It’s Bronks’ production of Us/Them, on at Main Hall @ Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, at 10:00am on Thursday 25th. Let’s read the blurb: “During a hostage drama in a school in Beslan that started in September 2004, the greatest of evils, terrorists, chose the greatest good, a group of children, as their victims. Us / Them is not a straightforward account of this terrible drama, but is about the entirely individual way children cope with extreme situations. With humour and a matter-of-fact approach, it contrasts the views of children with those of adults. Brussels-based BRONKS is one of Belgium’s leading theatres for young audiences. A lightness of storytelling, breathtaking scenography and a strong cast create a thrilling, unmissable theatrical experience.”

I confess it is a long time since I had thought about the Beslan hostage crisis, but such experiences should never be forgotten, so I welcome the chance to consider it again, perhaps from a new angle. Check back around 11.15am to see what we thought and by then the preview blog for our next show should be available to read too.

Post-show update:

Gytha Parmentier and Roman van Houtven bring the school terrorist massacre to life in an exciting and dynamic way, weaving a (literal) spiders web of experiences all round the stage, creating bombs out of black balloons, drawing the school layout on the floor and walls. With elements of “Curious Incident of the Dog in the night time”, and always preserving the simplicity and naïveté of the children involved (giggling at “breasts”, being embarrassed to take their shirts off) this is a most thrilling and riveting theatrical performance. No wonder we saw them receiving two Fringe awards at the end of the show. Certainly my hot contender for Best Play of the Fringe this year. Go if you can!