Ellen Leslie
Flying Rabbit Circus have cartwheeled into Scotland with their first Fringe show Box [M]. Performed by Landyn Endo and Kapi Lee, it is a striking performance piece that uses dance and circus to explore growing up transgender in an Asian American immigrant household. Through impressive tricks, mesmerising dance moves and non-verbal storytelling, we follow two siblings who are both oppressed by the weight of gendered expectations and norms as they bond, argue, and ultimately begin to understand each other’s worries.
It seems like an ambitious task to convey all this without spoken language, yet the performers do so with ease. They are very expressive, and are able to switch between joy when they are playing together, to sadness as his sibling looks back on old tapes of Endo’s ballet dancing. They work well together, performing a variety of amazing partner balances and acro stunts. Lots of this takes place on the floor near the front of the stage, and due to the theatre’s layout, unfortunately means that most of the audience are left craning their necks to see what is happening.
A large cube in the middle of the floor serves as a physical reminder of the boxes that trans people feel pressure to fit into, whether it is filling in an official form with only two options for gender, or the rigid rules around gender stereotypes set by society. The dancers flip, twist and balance on the cube, their movements portraying the difficulties that trans people face. Sometimes they don’t fit in the box, their limbs stretching through the cube’s side during their acrobatic tricks, while other times they balance on top, cautiously dipping their toes into it. Both dancers try to lift the cube but it’s heavy, representing the burden of societal expectations. The tricks are superb, made all the more impressive by the way they use the cube, carefully manoeuvring their bodies around its confines.
Endo is an exquisite dancer. His beautiful lines and fluidity in movement is capturing, and very well-rehearsed. Even moments where we would forgive some messiness, such as when he is being dragged back to his own box, features pointed toes and straight legs, demonstrating extreme attention to detail. Lee’s movements are less balletic but just as impressive, showing off strength and control. While their dancing is strong, some of their work with props is clumsy, and requires some additional refinement.
A key feature is the Japanese holiday of Boy’s Day, where families would raise carp flags to express their pride in having sons. It’s explained as well as it can be in a show that uses no spoken word as we see that at first, Endo cannot hang his alongside his brother’s. Yet as his family’s understanding and acceptance for him grows, he is finally allowed to display his too. The visual at the end where both performers hang up carps that match the colour of their shirts, illuminated by matching lighting, is striking.
While at first glance the show may seem quite niche, its representations of outdated gender norms and pressure to fit in are themes that resonate with a wider audience. Box [M] is spell-binding, and it is truly a pleasure to watch these talented artists perform.
Recommended Drink: A Fizzing with Pride cocktail: gin, passion fruit syrup and lemon juice combined then topped with tonic water.
You can catch Box [M] at Big at theSpace Triplex until 12th August from 20:25 (45 mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Image credit: Mx Wolfe
Hannah Hamilton
Shay Mace
Abbie Lowe
