Review: Vigil – Traverse Theatre

It’s impossible not to warm to Tom Bailey, leader of Mechanimal, and multitalented solo-performer of Vigil. It’s just as well, with most of the 50 minutes absorbed in his acting out the names of endangered, and extinct, species flashing up on an expansive white background. Contextualising text, kept to a minimum, is projected rather than voiced, leaving Bailey to mime, clown, and generally caper his way through the rather bleak lexicon.

Vigil begins with unapologetic comedy, Bailey’s choreographed responses to each name veering strongly into the absurd, reaching a crescendo with ‘Problematic Flasher.‘ However, it’s not manic or silly for silliness’ sake, but thoroughly well-conceived and well-executed physical theatre. For all the many laughs offered, deep affection runs through each charade.

However, the fun and games begin to glitch eventually, the projections prone to ominous malfunctions, and there’s ultimately no escaping the large, perspex box of bones sharing the stage. Spectacle turns to an explicit vigil, comedy giving way to the grim reality of its list of species past, and perhaps soon to be past.

Vigil also benefits from a fine, unobtrusive soundscape from Andrew Cooke, whilst the projections from Limbic Cinema are clear and clean. To create this show in all its delightful simplicity has taken many, many hours of scrupulous work.

“If comedy ultimately outweighs tragedy in this extinction-themed show, Vigil is certainly memorable.”

If comedy ultimately outweighs tragedy in this extinction-themed show, Vigil is certainly memorable. The message is clear, though laced with more fondness for the world’s biodiversity than horror at its escalating loss.

On the other hand, conservationists have been publishing all manner of horrifying lists for decades, to no, or woefully insufficient avail. Bravo indeed to Mechanimal for seeking to sublimate one such list into a living, breathing protest. Vigil may pack more laughs than punch, but it’s still innovative, well-executed and timely.

Vigil played the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh until the 17th February 2023. For more information on Mechanimal and future performances, click here.