The Aeneid – Smock Alley – Tiger Dublin Fringe Review by Frank L.

Presented by Collapsing Horse

This is a collaborative work by the five cast members, who all contributed to its creation, based on Vergil’s The Aeneid.  Then it was directed (or “manipulated” to quote his own word) by Dan Colley so to make it appear that it all had been planned and scripted. Given the base material, the cities of Troy and Carthage make major appearances but the plot is driven by the imperative placed on Aeneas “to found Rome”. It is almost like a mantra throughout the performance. However, notwithstanding its classical history much of the language has a twenty first century flavour such as the suggestion of a “monetary union”.

Collapsing Horse as one of its signatures incorporates puppets and cut-outs of various types into its productions. Here the great Trojan horse is represented by a small origami horse. The boat, on which the oceans are sailed, is little bigger than a hand. The Sibyll appears as a white face mask held aloft with long, translucent, straggling locks. In another vein, the ocean when referred to in a song takes the form of a blue gossamer light material which is flicked on cue so it billows in all its ephemeral lightness. The set consists of a collection of rectangular blocks which are constantly being reconfigured with consummate skill by the actors to create different tableaux. These are but a few examples of the visual adroitness of Collapsing Horse which are a constant pleasure to observe.

Each member of the cast is dressed in a dullish red tunic which can be wrapped about the body quite tightly if necessary to create a garment of a different tone. Each is replete with great physical energy as he or she scamper around the stage as the story is told. The tale takes many twists and turns and, given its collaborative genesis, perhaps the resulting complexity leads to a loss of momentum once or twice. However the use of the mantra “Found Rome“ helps like a compass to keep the destination in sight.

This is an ambitious production which shows off many of the fine skills which Collapsing Horse has perfected. It is inventive and full of surprises. It demonstrates how alive, accomplished and professional this youthful company is.