Casting The Runes – Pleasance Courtyard Above

It seems one should be careful when disregarding another person’s theories and methods, especially when those methods surround the paranormal.

Box Tale Soup have brought their own two-man production of Casting the Ruins to this year’s fringe, and it is certainly an intriguing treat. We follow the story of scholar Edward Dunning, a man who does not believe in the supernatural. When rejecting a thesis from writer Mr Karswell, he finds himself following in the footsteps a dead man before him, Karswell’s last victim.

Through seemingly magic runes, it’s up to Dunning and the mysterious woman he has just met to stop whatever nasty magical creature that has begun it’s decent on the professor, all the while forcing Dunning to truly question if the paranormal could truly exist.

Visually this show is incredible, the attention to detail with the set, costumes and props is really something special. The team themselves have created a set that can transform from study to train using just 2 moving wall pieces and some cases. Most of the set and costumes are accented with cuttings from book pages, tying them all together in uniform beautifully. The use of puppets allows us to experience multiple characters without the need for vast costume changes and the puppetry is executed so well that you forget that the actor controlling them is still in plain view.

Our lead actors work superbly together, even transitions between scenes are perfectly choreographed and timed, flitting between a simple movement of set and a seamless continuation of the characters’ movements and motives.

The horror aspect to the show is done well in a way that children could enjoy without being too frightened, but all of the audience will still be guaranteed to experience a shiver or too. For an Edinburgh Fringe production, the quality of all aspects of this show is top notch and a must see if you can fit it into your schedule.

Casting The Runes Plays from 6^th – 13^th and 15^th– 25^th , 11:35 at Pleasance Courtyard Above. Buy tickets at  Casting the Runes | Theatre | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com) 

Reviewer: Beth Eltringham

Reviewed: 6^th August 2024

North West End UK Rating: