The history of two communities on either side of a bridge in Sarajevo informs the latest large-scale outdoor production from Boilerhouse, Scotland's leading performance company.
Performed in the quadrangle on South Bridge by two aerialists high on towers against the backdrop of a giant film screen, it is a tale of friendship shattered when two young women find themselves on different sides in a civil war. In outdoor performances simple is often best, but too simple can be bland, as is the problem here. Neither the images nor the flat voiceover-style narration have a glimmer of sophistication. The film, with its images of flowers, looks like a soap powder advert. It is left to the pounding music, loud bangs and scurrying people dressed up as refugees to inject some urgency and atmosphere.
As too often with outdoor theatre, it feels as if the setting is doing all the hard work. In this instance, the venue comes with its own ghosts - the performance of Carmen Funebre, a great piece of outdoor theatre also on the theme of civil war, that makes this effort seem dwarfish in comparison.
· Until August 29. Box office: 0131-662 8740.
