Fringe Review: BOOGIE ON THE BONES, Anatomy Lecture Theatre at Summerhall

Photo credit: Varvara Burtseva

Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin are onstage alongside withintheatre company during Boogie on the Bones at Summerhall. Or at least their heads are. They loom statuesque above the performers just as they loomed once. Back when the USSR was in full swing and even now, as war consumes Russia. The metaphor is stark and unnerving, and sets the scene immediately for a fraught, political production of life underground during the Soviet Era.

The comrades in the show are the youth contingent, or Komsomol, as they are named. They are enforcers of the communist regime and seek to uphold the values they have been taught since children. They are also there to stifle any unconventional, illegal movements as stony faced Comrade Katya (Olga Pipchanka) instructs soon to be undercover Comrade Mels (Andrii Zamiatin). That’s when the audience meetS Betsy (Sofia Barysevich), Polly (Anastasia Aush) and Fred (Faiaz Valiullin)- a riot of colour in a grey clad world of censorship. They dance, they listen to American music - they play jazz! 

Enter the world of Stilyagi, the ones disregarding the norms and looking towards the West, to a different culture from the 1940s -1960s. They create black market records from old X-ray scans and party as though they have the freedom to. In snippets, the tale is joyous; it is of a youth rebelling and taking on the establishment. The narrative is poignant and sharp, and yet full of teenage charm and wit. The sort of raw emotion when normal people are forced into living double lives. 

Each actor is enchanting in their role. The talent onstage is immense - from the acting all the way to the musical instruments littered across the stage, which are effortlessly picked up and played. The Anatomy Room fills with music as their voices soar, melting between English and Russian, and leaving a small lump in your throat when the song ends.

Woven together the script crosses years and forms a coming-of-age tale of these friends. At once funny and unruly, it is also ominous and fearful, telling of people living in hiding from who they really are. Through creative, clever prop usage, hair-raising musical numbers and effective lighting use, Boogie on the Bones is the story of countless people who must be remembered. From Slavic company withintheatre comes a heart-wrenching performance and an imperative, urgent watch.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Hannah Goldswain

Boogie on the Bones plays at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until 31 August, with further info here.