A History of Paper – Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Emma Mullen and Christopher Jordan-Marshall in A History of Paper at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. Picture: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

A History of Paper by Oliver Emanuel and Gareth Williams continues at the Traverse Theatre – Traverse 2 until 25 August 2024.

Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is such a fine piece written about love and loss. Delicate and as fragile as the origami models created onstage, the director, Andrew Panton, has intelligently let the words take centre stage. Written by Oliver Emanuel and Gareth Williams, here is top-level craft.

There are beautiful moments, such as the examination of when that point arrives – the point where you fall in love. Emma Mullen and Christopher Jordan-Marshall have a vital spark between them, the ‘chemistry’ that conveys the portrayal of love.

Musical director Gavin Whitworth not only plays the piano accompaniment, he occasionally joins the action and sings; his reactions to the central narrative are spot on. Focus on the story is sublime – the music serves the narrative perfectly, supporting the words and underlining some of the humour as well as the pain.

The staging is almost a tribute to paper – the floor is a random pattern of pages spread across a tissue paper floor; the papery backdrop becomes decorated with a selection of paper memorabilia. The design, by Leila Kalbassi, is detailed yet simple with a pair of symbolic blocks moving effortlessly around to serve as the story demands.

Emma Jones’ lighting emphasises and highlights precisely and the skill of the sound design from Ritchie Young is a lesson to so many companies in Edinburgh this month – a masterclass in how to blend it with the action and making it seem effortless.

The partnership between spoken and sung dialogue is delicious. Sondheim often said he aimed to capture a conversational tone and here we find just that. This work is romantic, yes, but avoids the sentimental. The loss of Oliver Emanuel before this production was staged gives an added poignancy and his work is beautifully spoken and sung.

The actors both move effortlessly around the stage, echoing poetic rhythms and underlying meaning. The moments where they move out into the audience are carefully considered and with purpose.

Just like the origami – this has been handled sensitively to preserve its integrity and is a delight to behold.

Co-produced by Dundee Rep Theatre and the Traverse Theatre.

Fiona Orr