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Venue 26: Summerhall – Main Hall
A wildly inventive and high-energy spectacle that hilariously captures the relentless grind of modern life, blending absurdity with sharp social commentary.Summary
Rating
Excellent
Burnout Paradise, presented by the daring Australian collective Pony Cam, is an audacious and exhilarating dive into the absurdity of modern life, brilliantly brought to life by performers Claire Bird, Laura Aldous, William Strom, Dominic Weintraub, and Hugo Williams. This show defies conventional theatre, blending performance art, social commentary, and physical comedy into a unique experience that could only be found in Fringe theatre.
The setup is as ambitious as it is unconventional. Four performers are each stationed at a customised treadmill labelled with aspects of modern life — Survival, Admin, Performance and Leisure. The fifth member of the team serves as the host and taskmaster, guiding the audience through the spectacle. Over the course of four ten-minute intervals, the performers rotate through each station, tasked with completing a series of mundane yet increasingly ridiculous activities, all while running on their respective treadmills.
The tasks are as varied as they are challenging. The performer at the Survival station must cook a three-course meal; at Admin the focus is on completing a grant application; Performance requires an artistic act, and Leisure encompasses everything from personal grooming to organising a bingo game. The absurdity of trying to shave while running, or prepare pasta on a moving treadmill, injects a sense of chaotic energy that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
One of the show’s most compelling aspects is how it transforms these mundane tasks into a thrilling spectator sport. The stakes are clear: if the performers fail to complete their tasks or fail to run far enough, the audience is promised a refund. This unusual premise flips the typical audience/performer dynamic on its head as the crowd, caught between wanting to see success and fearing a potential refund, ends up fully invested in the performers’ success.
The physicality of the show is impressive, with the actors giving it their all as they attempt to balance running with their various tasks. The intensity builds with each rotation, leading to a crescendo in the final ten minutes when the performers, now drenched in sweat and visibly exhausted, push towards the finish line. It’s a high-octane finale that mirrors the relentless pace of modern life: a fitting metaphor that lands with both humour and poignancy.
Beyond the physical comedy and absurdity, Burnout Paradise offers a sharp critique of the rat race that defines much of contemporary society. The treadmill, an apt symbol for the endless grind, serves as the perfect vehicle for exploring how life’s demands can often feel overwhelming and never-ending. The commentary is clear: the pressures of survival, productivity, and even leisure have turned into relentless tasks that leave little room for genuine rest or fulfilment.
The audience’s involvement is another highlight. Whether peeling vegetables for the cook or helping out with the Creative Scotland grant application, the spectators become part of the performance, further blurring the lines between art and reality. This interactive element not only enhances the sense of community but also drives home the idea that no one can truly succeed alone; everyone needs a little help along the way.
The show’s final twist, revealing that even after all tasks are seemingly completed, there are always more, adds a layer of existential reflection. It’s a sobering reminder of the never-ending nature of modern responsibilities, leaving the audience with much to ponder as the lights go down.
Burnout Paradise is an exhilarating, thought-provoking, and uniquely Fringe experience. It may not be subtle in its social commentary, but its blend of humour, physicality, and audience interaction makes it a standout show. Pony Cam has created a piece that is as entertaining as it is insightful, earning a well-deserved four stars for its originality and execution. And, as a bonus, there’s free Berocca to keep everyone energised — a fitting touch for a show that’s all about the grind.
Produced by Pony Cam Collective & Parrot Ox
This show has completed its run at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Find out more information about the Pony Cam Collective here.
