Celtic Caledonia – the Curse

FRINGE REVIEW

Celtic Caledonia – the Curse

Siamsoir Celtic Dance Company

C venue, Chambers Street, Edinburgh

August 7th-15^th £7.50 - £9.50

Reviewed by David Kerr

After a bitter experience with another dance presentation the previous evening, your reviewer was a bit apprehensive about seeing this fusion of Irish, Scottish and modern dance styles. This time, however, the experience was positive.

This production delves back into the mists of legend when the Gaels left Erin for the land of Caledonia in search of lost magic where they came into conflict with the Picts already living there. This story recounts in dance how the two peoples were reconciled and came together to form the united kingdom of Alba (Scotland).

There was no confusion as to what was going on in this production as the music and the dancing was tailored to fit the mood. The whole gamut of human emotions and their consequences were on display: hatred and war, love, joy, excitement, sadness, fear and menace. The choreography was flawlessly executed. This must have been difficult as in some of the scenes a great number of dancers – Picts and Gaels in conflict - were on stage at the same time.

**** Four stars