Nick Helm: Dare to Dream, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.You don't have much choice but to get caught up in Nick Helm's mania. "You're delaying the fun!" he warns us, coercing us to punch the air for his rocky opening number. "Never stop dreaming/from the floor to the ceiling," he commands.
The burden of most of the audience participation falls on one willing participant who shares the stage with Helm for most of the performance, albeit laid on a lilo.
With songs and poems that are by turn edgy and affectionate, Helm once again builds his persona as a romantic: disconsolate and cynical at times and tender and hopeful at others. "Let's Get Married" is a tune that carries both extremes of sentiments, where shared activities are both exalted and inverted until they reach a sticky end.
As with his debut solo show last year, there is a mish-mash of elements here (some of which he says he forgot to put in, but that could be a device in itself) and the show doesn't add up to a finished article.
And although the sheer energy is still reverberating around your head as you leave, this is a show that sets itself a standard it just can't maintain. It is, however, well within touching distance. He should do as his debut show's title exhorted and keep digging for the gold.
To 29 August (0131 556 6550)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments