Theatre O hit the big time in Edinburgh two years ago with Three Dark Tales. Now they have returned with this new piece about a dysfunctional family in which the relationship of the parents and a family secret infect the next generation.
They may be Strong by name, but there is nothing strong and silent about this family: when Edward tells his two children, Roberta and Eric, that their mother has died, the pair are in the middle of a slanging match. And as they grow up, father, son and daughter are quite unable to communicate. As Roberta says: "I'd like to have a conversation with you but I don't know what about."
The company's trademark mix of the grotesque and the absurd is ably handled, and there is some good physical work here in a production that is highly stylised - sometimes to the point of being mildly irritating. It looks better than it sounds, in terms of the script, although the musical soundtrack is great. It also outstays its welcome after the final twist has been revealed. But this is solid work from a good young company whose observations are made with considerable humour, if not always a great deal of compassion.
· Until August 25. Box office: 0131-226 2428.
