Climb continues at Underbelly Bristo Square – Cowbarn, Edinburgh – until 26 August 2019.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
This is a simply sublime hour of song – Duane Forrest has brought this show from Canada. He’s charisma on legs and plays rather fine guitar. His voice is gentle and the tone so soft he creates an instant stillness and attentiveness from the audience.
Built around a cycle of no less than 18 songs, we hear the story of Diego a young missionary from Toronto. He travels to Central America to work with a pastor, escaping the heartbreak of a broken relationship in Canada.
Whilst there, he falls under the spell of a beautiful young woman who describes herself as an apple high on the tree and that if he wants her, he has to climb. So climb he does: learning more Spanish to help them communicate. In a glorious vocal blend between them they rejoice in the lyric: “I feel less scared when you are with me.”
His love is Mariela, played with great poise and charm by Sandra Aguilar. In a solitary moment, she addresses the audience, telling of how she was a victim of a rape drug that left her traumatised and doubting she would ever trust again. Yet here she is with Diego and the chance of happiness.
As the story unfolds, there is a rather out of character turn when Diego becomes fascinated by a young Argentinian singer, Zoriamil (Mariela Josid).
This is a spare production: simply staged with the instruments being played onstage throughout. Somehow, Forrest manages the challenge of inhabiting Diego’s persona whilst carrying a guitar most of the time. It just works. Even in a space as large as the Reid Concert Hall, there is an intimate performance register that draws the listener in.
The music is sumptuous – lovely Latin rhythms in the most part that create a smooth atmosphere. Perhaps trying to say that not everything is as smooth and relaxed as it may appear to be.
Fiona Orr
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