Twelve: Going the Distance – Five incredible dancers conjure the intense world of an active boxing gym (Fringe review) 4 Stars

With Twelve: Going the Distance, Marisa F Ballaro brings five incredible dancers into the intense world of an active boxing gym, and explores this world across twelve rounds. The performance captures more than the physical demands of boxing; it shows the relationships, frustrations, victories, and heartache that fighters endure. 

The performers’ movements felt new and exciting, blending the beauty of dance with the strategy behind boxing, immediately capturing my attention. There was something captivating about watching the dancers communicate without speaking. Every movement truly revealed a new part of the story.

The characters quickly became easy to connect with as alliances formed and tensions grew. You could straightforwardly interpret what each performer was feeling and trying to share with the audience, through their movements. When the boxers lost rounds, it felt particularly powerful. Their disappointment and heartache were tangible, leaving me feeling sad and frustrated for them, after seeing how hard they had worked. As the characters’ storylines developed, you naturally became more invested in the outcomes of each round.  

Sound added another layer: breathwork, music and movement worked together to heighten emotions.

The five dancers moved between acts and characters effortlessly, keeping the twelve rounds flowing and maintaining the sense of anticipation. By the end, I was completely invested. Their passion came through in every movement, turning Twelve: Going the Distance into an emotional and fascinating experience that stayed with me beyond the final round. 

Twelve: Going the Distance, Dissection room at Summerhall, Venue 26, 6th till 16th August 2026