Rocky! by Fig and Foxy – Zoo Southside, Edinburgh

Written and directed by Tue Biering, Rocky! begins as a commentary on the film, and ends as something much more extreme. Genial performer Morten Burian tells us about his sympathy for Rocky, a ‘loser’ who fights his way out of the role society has assigned to him. As a self-declared educated liberal, he recognises the contrast with Sylvester Stallone’s character but finds himself drawn to him. Then his remarks begin to take on an odd, racially charged tone and it becomes apparent that we’re watching a play about far right politics. The Rocky story goes awry as Burian tells us about his radicalisation against immigrants and rise to power as a populist, Trump-esque politician. Burian takes this very badly and starta to fall apart as his performance becomes increasingly physical and uncomfortable. There is no doubting his commitment, as the play incorporates a real pig carcass, a meat hook from which Burian suspends himself, naked, and a series of very uncomfortable self-flagellating acts. Rocky! makes powerful points about the sinister power of far right politics. It does, however, take itself very seriously which sometimes makes is difficult for the audience to do the same.