The lost or stolen shadow – or the shadow that takes charge of its own destiny – is a common theme in fairy tales, perhaps most famously explored in the Hans Christian Andersen short story ‘The Shadow’. In Malasombra, Spanish company Auments use the obvious (and that’s not necessarily a bad thing) device of shadow theatre to tell the tale of a shadow that decides to decide its own desires and urges.

Using a large screen that fills the back of the stage in Summerhall’s main space, the company create beautiful images: the shadow-catcher, Mister Malasombra, looming over the poor little shadow with his cage; the chase through the forest; the endless line of captured shadow-men filing into the workhouse. The use of scale is lovely, figures morphing in size; the cage and the factory walls shrinking and growing. Alternating with shadow work is projected animation, depicting the forest by day and by night – I particularly like a sweet little owl on a branch. Visual credits go to award-winning Spanish cartoonist Max, who is also credited with the creative idea and dramaturgy of the show.

There is also action in front of the screen – but this is less successful. Choreography between La Chica (The Girl, dressed in a coral-pink pixie outfit) and La Sombra (The Shadow, dressed in head-to-tow black, face veiled) starts nicely, as Shadow and Girl move from being totally entwined to physically separated. But Girl alone then spoils it with a twee little mock-balletic dance. In other sections, movement work is melodramatic but lacking in passion.

The soundtrack is a real mix: from jazz flamenco to psychedelia via spooky Theremin, piano sonatas, and ear-splitting experimental rock. All working well with the visuals. It feels (and I believe is) a show led by visual and sonic (rather than performing) arts. The choreography and mime feels like the least-developed aspect, which is a shame in a word-free show. Performances are variable. The older male performer playing Mister Malasombra has a great physical presence – streets ahead of the two women playing La Chica and La Sombra.

Malasombra is a whimsical and lyrical show for family audiences (not the ‘dark fairy tale for adults’ advertised!), and charming for the most part.