A Strange Wild Song; the new performance by Lecoq trained Rhum and Clay Theatre Company

I'll never forget the first time I took Lecoq seriously. Up until that point, I was vaguely aware of the school - somewhere in France - and the reputation - a physical theatre style that liked the clown. But suddenly, in the middle of Red Bastard's masterful assault on decency and alienation, my new live art hero posed and insisted that the audience "respects Lecoq." When I had stopped laughing at the dick joke, I decided that I might pay more attention to the style that was influencing this comedy genius.

Rhum and Clay are part of a new generation of Lecoq graduates - there's something like four companies from the same class at the Fringe this year. A Strange Wild Song is probably the only show that promises to "literally bring photographs to life" as well as "fusing live music, physical theatre and absurdist humour" featuring a man searching for meaning through a single roll of film.


Intrigued both by the premise and the growing influence of Lecoq, I sent my usual naive and ill-considered questions over to the company. That the answers came marked from Rhum and Clay adds to the mystery, even as they elucidate the aesthetic conspiracy.


"Lecoq inspires creativity," they inform me. "Its theatre is engaging and accessible: when done well it is absolutely captivating. Lecoq generates a community of artists with a shared language.  A testament to this is the amount of companies that have come out of the school.  From Complicite to last year’s hit company Theatre Ad Infinitum, success from Lecoq companies is carried by the quality of the work. It’s always our aim to create original theatre that meets those standards and creative values."


The line of Lecoq is clear: both of these companies have a reputation for pushing the strictures of theatre, without losing the audience. But why would a company want to bring this to the Fringe, where any creativity can be lost in the hustle?


Rhum and Clay dismiss my fears. "There is no better place to launch new work. The Fringe is a hotbed of creativity: press, international venues, festival organisers and audiences all thrown together in a beautiful and vibrant city.  If you can succeed in Edinburgh you can do it anywhere.  As a company we grow tremendously by being involved in the festival; it’s a brilliant buzz to be around thousands of talented artists from across the world and it never fails to have a positive impact on our practice and ambition."


The company did open their account at the Fringe effectively in 2011: Shutterland was critically acclaimed. "Our theatre appeals to a broad audience because it is very physical, visually cinematic and funny, but with a touching humanity at its core. We also happen to think it’s very good," they continue.


Even reputable reviewers were impressed by Shutterland, and A Strange Wild Song furthers the company's journey into new drama. "Though in subject matter it is very different, audiences might recognize a similarity of style with Shutterland.  We always endeavour to create theatre that is inventive, highly physical and funny." Yet this is no mere resting on their laurels.  "A Strange Wild Songis more adventurous and ambitious, both in narrative and production.  We have a multi-instrumentalist on stage, a highly mobile set and raised expectations. We have kept the sense of play and the strong visual elements of Shutterland and combined it with emotionally deeper characters and an engaging and touching story.  Everyone at Rhum and Clay Theatre Company is really looking forward to unleashing A Strange Wild Song on the fringe this year."

3rd-25th August 2012  9pm (60 minutes)  Previews 3rd / 4th – No Performances 13th & 20th        Bedlam Theatre (Venue 49), 11b Bristo Place, Edinburgh EH1 1EZ.           Rhum and Clay Theatre Company was founded at l'EcoleInternationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in 2010 and consists of Christopher Harrisson, Julian Spooner and Matthew Wells.