one4review | On 13, Aug 2019

Three different burglars prepare to steal a painting from an art gallery, all for different reasons and all by adopting different methods of entry. Rosa is disguised as a chef and manages to gain access through the service entrance to the gallery, claiming to have left her mobile phone in the kitchen; Sabrina enters from the roof terrace, having climbed up a rope lassoed on a gargoyle; while William gains access through the drains, having stayed behind in the underground car park after closure. Out to foil the attempted robberies is the security guard Alice, who also acts as narrator and ringmaster to proceedings. Volunteers from the audience are given roles to play, as the three main protagonists overcome obstacles to their mission, highlighted by great sound effects and live action cameras and screens on stage, which all add to the drama. Throughout the play, the value of art and its desirability is questioned – the Mona Lisa, after all, was not regarded as anything special until it was stolen from the Louvre in 1911 by an Italian workman. The talented young cast are excellent throughout, especially Alice Boyd as the security guard, whose engaging performance really steals the show. Overall, this is an enjoyable hour of original and well-conceived drama, even if it does ultimately build towards a chaotic and rather incoherent ending.

Reviewed by Howard

Underbelly Cowgate
1.55pm
Until 25th August (not 14th)