Dr Faustus

Brought to Edinburgh by the young Lancastrian student group Offshoots, this version of Christopher Marlow’s classic morality tale is a dynamic and colourful circus-inspired production of great energy and vitality. 

Unfortunately, though, for such an invigorating and youthful production, this is a play let down, perhaps somewhat bizarrely, by the source material itself. Marlowe’s classical seventeenth century dialogue seems stultifying and constrains an otherwise vibrant and energetic production. Watching this, one couldn’t help but wish that this company had adapted the script and adopted a more naturalistic 21^st century style of dialogue. As it stands, the stark contrast between the vibrant, circus themed staging and staid, otherworldly scripting is too strong for one to become fully immersed in this otherwise intriguing show.