Alma Mater

115270 original

With showings every 10 minutes, each only 20 minutes long, and costing just £5, Alma Mater offers the perfect solution for festival-goers in search of a quick and inexpensive dose of Fringe theatre. But its short length doesn't mean it's light on content. Indeed, the main drawback of this part-film, part-live experience is that it attempts to explore the complex psychology of children growing up, but doesn't quite have the time to offer a satisfying conclusion.

The audience of one enters a wooden shed tucked behind the bustling cafe in St George's West, armed with an iPad and a pair of headphones. Director Eilidh MacAskill's charming video narrative, which plays on the iPad, is filmed in the same sparse, white-washed setting as the one that surrounds you and you're encouraged to use the tablet in the manner of a camera, to sit down when the actors on screen instruct you to and to open and close the shed door when someone virtually enters the room.

It's a strong sensory experience, defined as much by what you can touch (in the room) as what you can't (on the film). But the tension between the two can also engender a feeling of profound disconnection from what's going on. Moreover, you need to be constantly vigilant against clicking on the iPad's home button and accidentally stopping the film, which detracts from the immersive experience it's trying to offer. Still, its original set-up means Alma Mater is certainly worth a peek for anyone interested in more innovative forms of performance.