A Romance

There's a distinctive clicking sound ticking away as we file into the theatre. The culprits are revealed in a colourful surprise: two women bent over a low wooden block, beating out fabric with sticks. More cloth hangs around them, thick textured reams draped on every surface, as well as covering their bodies in bright heavy costumes. We're in the servants' room of a young bride's house on the eve of her wedding, and it's a hive of women's activity: stitching, chatting, song.

Korean company Modl Theatre beautifully evoke an archetypal atmosphere, and when the bride begins, Scheherazade style, to spin a yarn of her own, we know it's going to be a good one. Inspired by a popular Korean novel, A Romance weaves together myth, gesture and song, taking the tale of two fallen angel lovers towards a climax of operatic proportions. Part of what makes this piece so memorable is the chorus that comes gut-wrenching and wild from the mouths of the women as they sew, listen and join in, particularly the old widow played by Ji A Park - an archetype role, part-clown, part-earth mother.

The production is let down a little by the venue, with a subtitle screen that feels miles away from the stage and a rake that doesn't allow much visibility of the floor – where most of the action takes place. But get there early and you'll find yourself wrapped up in a multi-layered tale every bit as rich and silken as those hanging gowns.