Mere Mortals – Edinburgh Playhouse

Mere Mortals, which opened in San Francisco in 2024, is an ambitious and visually striking dance production choreographed by the internationally acclaimed Aszure Barton, who has been praised as a brilliant choreographer. Barton, a Bessie Award honouree, has collaborated with renowned artists including Mikhail Baryshnikov, and her experience and creativity are clearly visible throughout this production.

At its heart, Mere Mortals explores the fascinating and increasingly relevant theme of artificial intelligence. The production is inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Pandora’s Box. However, rather than imagining a box that releases the evils and sorrows of humanity into the world, Barton reinterprets the myth through the lens of AI. The result is a thought-provoking exploration of what might happen when technology becomes increasingly powerful and begins to challenge the boundaries of human control.

One of the most impressive aspects of the performance was the sheer scale of the production. With more than 80 dancers on stage, the choreography demanded an extraordinary level of coordination and precision. The dancers moved together with remarkable synchronisation, creating powerful images of collective human movement. Their black costumes added to the sense of mystery and gave the performance a striking visual identity.

The live musical score, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, was another major highlight. The music worked beautifully with the movement, particularly during the more intense sequences, where the beats gave the choreography an almost hypnotic energy. The production also included solo and duet performances, as well as movements that resembled martial-arts-inspired workouts, adding variety and intensity to the overall experience.

What caught my attention most, however, was the use of animation and lighting on the LED screens. The combination of digital visuals, lighting, music and dance created a futuristic atmosphere that felt perfectly suited to the subject of AI. At times, it felt as though the dancers were interacting with a world controlled by technology.

One scene in particular left a lasting impression on me: a man emerging from a hill. It was unexpected, visually powerful and genuinely mind-blowing.

Overall, Mere Mortals was a highly engaging experience from beginning to end. It successfully combines mythology, contemporary dance, music and technology to ask an important question: what happens when mere mortals encounter something as powerful and unpredictable as artificial intelligence?

Reviewer: Saira Kunjuvalappil(Saira KS)

Reviewed: 28th August 2026

North West End UK Rating: