Ellen Leslie
It is silent as the audience enter the theatre for Dust: The Sixth Sense. On stage, a woman dressed in white lace crawls out from behind a sofa, coughing violently. It is an ominous atmosphere that instantly sets us on edge.
Written by Konyinsola Eniitàn Salako, Dust: The Sixth Sense is an experimental piece of new writing that aims to explore the effects of neglect. Featuring characters Dust, Narrator, Girl, Mother and Air, it creates a chaotic world where identities are fragmented, and they are forced to find their way through the darkness with no guidance.
Unfortunately, the show is too chaotic and fragmented to make any sense of. Beyond vague themes of motherhood and neglect, it’s hard to piece together what’s happening. It’s not clear why Narrator wants to possess Dust and Girl’s lives, or what the purpose of Air was. Between lengthy monologues that are extremely difficult to follow, constant coughing and moaning, and crawling across the floor, it becomes repetitive, and loses the audience’s interest.
The performances are intense, and each actor does an amazing job. Their anguish and pain is clear, and they successfully create an eerie, unsettling atmosphere. Mother’s guttural screams while she is giving birth are piercing, while Girl contorts her body, effectively conveying her emotional pain. Credit must be given to the costuming and makeup; it is a highlight of the show. The black mask painted around Dust’s eyes make them look as wide as dinner plates, and Mother’s costume helps to make her look fragile.
theSpace on the Mile is the ideal venue for the show. The small space is intimate, allowing the actors to look the audience menacingly in the eye. They use the space well, running down the aisles and addressing the audience from the middle of the room. The set and lighting design is excellent as well. With lace fabrics draped over the furniture, and moody lighting, it creates a gothic atmosphere.
While Dust: The Sixth Sense has strong performances, its fragmented and chaotic nature makes it inaccessible for mainstream audiences to enjoy. This is disappointing; it’s clear that lots of work has gone into its creation. However, if you enjoy experimental theatre, then it’s definitely worth a watch for the powerful performances alone. The cast are exceptionally talented, and certainly have bright futures ahead of them.
Recommended Drink: A Black Angel: blackcurrant brandy, lime juice and a splash of club soda.
Performances of Dust: The Sixth Sense have now concluded at EdFringe 2026.
Bethany Ramsay
Tom Clayton
