As the Mother of a Brown Boy

Moving social commentary

Just as society lets so many young black men fall through the net, As The Mother Of A Brown Boy also struggles to reach the dead boy it tries to reclaim from the ranks of statistics. As usual, Chickenshed are to be lauded for attending to a subject normally ignored by theatre, and their treatment is utterly moving. But they skate over the details – why gangs fill in for an absent father and an absent society. The piece is stronger where it brings forward the true story behind it.

Projecting photos of Mischa Niering himself, focusing on the dance more than the over-used voice-over, which wants to translate but fails to ram home the message swelling in the dance. Though Chickenshed miss this trick, they use their large cast well and their onstage drums, keys and rappers even better, flagging up another young life otherwise mourned by only his mother. (Tom Tàbori)

Zoo Southside, 662 6892, until 27 Aug (not 15, 22), 2.45pm, £8 (£6).

More: Dance, Contemporary Dance (Dance), As the Mother of a Brown Boy, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Festivals, Fringe

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