Words: George Young

5 stars

L’Addition is a beautiful piece featuring the oddly perfect duo of Bert and Nasi. The show is built around a seemingly simple premise: a customer orders a drink from a waiter. Yet, as this single scene unfolds, everything begins to go hilariously awry, leading to a series of absurd and clever moments that the performers deliver with skill.

The show plays with the concept of an endless loop. The performers cleverly and chaotically reset and repeat the scenario, each time escalating the absurdity and tension, making it feel as though the characters are trapped in an inescapable cycle. The play also playfully acknowledges its setting at Summerhall, a venue known for its diverse and often complex performances. The irony is not lost on the performers, who humorously contrast this reputation with their own self-described “very simple show.” Which is both abundantly true yet also completely false.

One of the standout aspects of the show is its opening, where Bert and Nasi set up the concept for the show in brilliant hilarious detail. This introduction immediately draws you in, laying the foundation for the chaos that follows. Their interaction with the audience is another highlight; they engage with a wonderful confidence that arrests the audience immediately.

L’Addition is a smart, inventive, and thoroughly entertaining production that blends brilliantly simple truthful acting with physical comedy, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. If you have the chance to catch this show as it tours, don’t miss it—it’s a masterclass in farce for the 21st century.

L’Addition
Summerhall – Old Lab
11.30
17th-25th August