The End of the Times? is an audio-visual experience in aid of The International Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. It’s 45 minutes of flashing, mind-bending visuals, and bizarre electronic beats created and performed by Henry Davis.
Split into two parts, this is a study of humanity, civilization, society, technology, and the devastation of war. The visuals are often bewildering kaleidoscopes of colour, taking camera footage, flipping it, mirroring it, and displaying it on screen and endlessly morphing in time to the music (if you’re familiar with Winamp and Windows Media Player from back in the day you’re not far off). It’s very abstract, with heads upon heads, walking legs upon walking legs, and dancing dresses blending into each other. The accompanying electronics are very experimental and reminiscent of the likes of Chemical Brothers and Orbital, but perhaps with more in common with Aphex Twin or Burial. It’s a mixture of overstimulation and the haunting, hypnotic interludes you’d expect to see in an Adam Curtis documentary.
All the while, in a dark corner, a strange-looking man sits hunched over a laptop, wearing sunglasses coated with flashing LEDs, working a theremin and keeping control of the seemingly chaotic sights and sounds.
Text describing a recurring theme of those who were once dancing are now dying, occasionally appearing on screen, providing context to the dancing women, parading soldiers, and images of men, women, and children desperately trying to get food before it runs out, the devastation in their faces when it ultimately does.
The message is profound and strong, but the inherently divisive nature of a piece like this – experimental visuals crossed with cacophonic, awkward electronics – means that for some, it will be extremely off-putting, while others will get goosebumps. Still, it’s the sort of experience worth taking a chance on, especially since it’s all for a good cause.
The End of the Times? is also available digitally on a pay what you can basis.
Rating: 3 stars
tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/outwith-words-tinderbox-orchestra-and-loud-poets
