Fringe Festival continues to surprise with intimate Iris Brunette and poignant I Believe #tf2010

There is no notion of time when you take your seat. It is dark. The room looks like a café, with four tables and chairs around them. Don't expect a sit-back performance, as everyone is part of the play. The intriguing Iris Brunette doesn't let you be a spectator, but gives you a role. Do not fear that you will suddenly have to take the stage. From your seat, you are influencing the play. Actress Melanie Wilson lets you choose which way to go. Do we wait here or walk on? Do we go left or right? Do we trust this person or not? The space you're in feels safe. Fortunately. Because there is no exit; walking away is impossible. A maximum of twenty spectators witness this story that takes you through time. Wilson narrates and involves you in the story in the best possible way. A more intimate performance is hardly possible, I think. But the Veem Theatre is also I believe to see. A performance where I stand in a large cube. On the floor is sand. On two walls, a face is projected that starts talking to me. In turns, in fragments. People in the world could have much more to offer each other, but everyone lives for themselves. We may never meet again, I am told. The projections go off and a light bulb in the cube comes on. I feel myself being watched, but see no people outside the cube. Then anyway. Outside the cube too, a light bulb comes on. Vaguely I see the young man from the projection in the space outside the cube. He looks at me. What is it like to be human? What do you believe in? The one-to-one approach is probing and leaves me pondering for some time. Staying anonymous like in a big hall is not an option here. The Fringe continues to surprise. Seen both performances on Monday, 6 September 2010. Iris Brunette was voted best production at last year's Dublin Fringe Festival and could be seen until 6 September 2010. I Believe can still be seen at the Fringe until 11 September 2010. Photo: I Believe.