There is much to appreciate in this quirky show that tells tales from the history of an American town beneath which an underground fire has been burning for decades. The three performers present themselves as the town’s last inhabitants, excited to be here in Edinburgh to share their stories. The cast’s Lecoq School training is clearly evident in their playful interactions with each other and the audience, immediately creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that continues throughout. There is an assured ease to the comic characterisations, and some particularly charming naïve-styled choreography that is deceptively accomplished. These elements are combined with more poetic visual devices and a clear influence of live art aesthetics. Torches become car headlights, cardboard houses turn into masks, and the soundtrack works well to underscore the shifting emotional tones. It is an effective combination of elements, but ultimately I feel slightly disappointed that the premise wasn’t used to greater purpose.
Having begun by telling us the origins of the fire, Centralia develops into a series of related sketches rather than a compelling narrative arc. For example, one shoe-themed story is neatly followed by a dance of shoes that is charming but pointless in terms of a larger plot. Elsewhere it seemed ready to be about the evils of government bureaucracy, but this wasn’t developed, and it’s left unclear why this woman and two men have remained in their town. When at the end one character reveals his plans to stay in Edinburgh, to the distress of the others, this feels tagged on rather than the outcome of a discernible development.
At this point the production makes its largest shift into a weird and absorbing choreographed section featuring white noise, slow-motion mime and a floating papier-mâché balloon. I might have appreciated this intriguing shift in style coming earlier, as it adds a poetic gravitas to piece that suggests they have greater ambitions than to just keep us all giggling. Overall, Centralia has a winning style and some charming and original material, but there is scope to explore more deeply the ideas the production sets up. Certainly a company to watch.