A one-of-a-kind show with immensely talented performers
Pecking Order is a one-of-a-kind show, something found only at the Fringe. It describes itself as absurdist, which still fails to prepare an audience for the sheer bizarre nature of the show — in the best way imaginable. Five men — or are they one man? — wearing a bowler hat circulate the setting of a waiting room, which also serves as an interrogation chamber, a surgical suite, a care home, and a dozen other places. Each of them are out of place and out of the scene presented. As the play progresses, they begin to remember fragments of their previous encounters, but to no avail.
The performers were fantastic, all of them suitably serious about the ridiculous scenes they were performing. The chemistry the five actors have is infectious: it is impossible to avoid being sucked into the chaos of their world. They display an impressive array of talents. Over the course of sixty minutes, all five perform dance, physical theatre, puppetry, and some small acrobatic-esque leaps and lifts. The range of characters they embody is no small feat for young actors and their performances were all equally remarkable. Beyond the laughs they created in the venue, the skills displayed were worth applauding themselves.
And there was no shortage of laughter. The writing in Pecking Order is yet another strength of the show, managing to be simultaneously hilarious and confusing while never getting tired. By the end of the show and after thunderous applause, the audience were left just as baffled as they had been in its first two minutes. A stronger through thread would have been intriguing but the lack of answers works surprisingly, startlingly well with the show.
“Pecking Order” is an unmissable show. You will not see anything like it at the Fringe, nor something as bizarrely well-done. At its core, it is about ostracisation in society (not ostriches, sorry Dorris), feeling disconnected from the wider world. The weird world of “Pecking Order” has a strange allure to it that cannot be forgotten any time soon.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/pecking-order
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Venue: Big Belly – Underbelly, Cowgate
Dates: 17th – 23rd August
Time (run): 12:30pm (60 mins)
Ticket prices: £14 (full price), £13 (concession)
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Content notes: Contains potentially upsetting themes, scenes of violence, and reference to gun violence. Suitable for ages 12+.