Words: Caitlin Finnerty

5 Stars

From the very beginning of Assembly Hall, the audience is urged to savour this live experience, and it’s easy to see why. What unfolds is a masterful blend of dance and theatre, a genre-defying spectacle that pushes the boundaries of what performance can be. Set in a nostalgic school hall, complete with fluorescent lights and assembly chairs, the show opens with a group of medieval re-enactors gathering for their Annual Board Meeting. As the meeting unfolds, the line between their mundane reality and fantastical quests blurs, creating a world where ancient forces seem to awaken.

The choreography, a mix of exaggerated movements and acrobatic stunts, is both stunning and precise. Dancers switch effortlessly between slow-motion, fast-motion, and frozen frames, creating moments that resemble Renaissance paintings. The fluidity and control they display make it hard to believe they aren’t aided by special effects.

The use of a pre-recorded voiceover allows for intricate layering of sound, enhancing the surreal atmosphere. Dialogue is limited to the “normal” setting of the meeting, but as the characters slip into their QuestFest personas, the soundscape shifts dramatically with cinematic music and eerie special effects. This contrast is humorous yet haunting, with an underlying tension that builds throughout the show.

Central to the piece is the character of Dave, a new member of the group, who becomes the focal point of a trial that blurs the lines between loyalty and fanaticism. His moments of breaking the fourth wall add a layer of meta-commentary, deepening the narrative.
With impressive swordplay, striking costumes, and a seamless blend of past and present, Assembly Hall is a brilliant and not-to-be-missed experience. Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young have crafted a beguiling, bonkers, and utterly fresh work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Assembly Hall 
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
19:30
Aug 22-24