In 2009 the Beijing Film Academy brought an acclaimed multimedia production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to the Fringe. Now Korean company Creative VaQi have given a similar makeover to the most famous work of his contemporary, Cervantes.
“The Dream of Sancho” is a reworking of Don Quixote, the story of the Renowned Hero that has inspired just about every literary genre for the last 400 years and has been taken as an allegory for almost everything. But in this through-the-looking-glass version, the fortunes of knight and servant, Sancho have been reversed.
Quixote is not quixotic. He is not driven mad by tales of chivalry but instead, as a diligent but unoriginal salaryman, he is wearied by overtime at the office. It’s the hitherto pragmatic Sancho who is the keeper of the dreams.
The company specialise in open-air productions, utilising buildings and spaces to bring a blend of theatre, contemporary dance and multimedia art. And so, as Quixote sleeps we are able to watch the dance of commuters around him as surreal dreams begin to invade his mind and blossom on the wall of the building behind him.
Just as Quixote is joined to Sancho, so are the ethereal and the everyday, fantasy and fact and alongside our deskbound Quixote we can believe (or at least hallucinate) that there is a world outside of our own. As Quixote’s fantasies take flight we join him as he gallops through a fantastical projected landscape and perhaps to a point where dreams do become true.
Unspoken and stylised the show is a colourful spectacle and uplifting experience. Although the pace is rather slow in parts it is strangely relaxing – a perfect end to a busy day on the Fringe. While there remains room for growth the company seem to be willing to reach for the unreachable stars. As Don Quixote would say “the world was better for this”.
Show Times
8-14 August, 9.50pm
Ticket Prices
£11.50, £10.50, £7.50 (Conc); and £10.50, £9.50, £6.50 (conc) on 11-12 Aug