How often can you say you just witnessed a piece of theatre that was beautiful, tenderly crafted, poetic and absurd, all about the frustrations and wonder of DIY? Germany/Austria-based circus-trained trio Michael Zandl, David Eisele and Kolja Huneck have created something truly extraordinary in this genre-blending work. It feels like a piece Samuel Beckett might have come up with, had he been trained in juggling and acro-balance.

Our trio of woodworking hopefuls start out in competition to build a chair from junk and logs. Frantically they hammer and glue. The tense anticipation any DIY enthusiast is familiar with (has it worked? Will it hold?) is eked out to glorious theatrical effect. Gradually we venture into more surreal territory. As Eisele takes great care over wood lathing a spinning top from a piece of tree trunk, and Zandl tries fruitlessly to keep hammering down misbehaving nails that pop up all over the stage, they are always intercepted by Huneck, who bursts up through the floorboards, caked in wood glue, while a voiceover whispers about the sensual and self-destructive pleasures of carpentry. 

A triumvirate of home-joinery archetypes emerge, representing pride, frustration and sensory indulgence. Circus tricks and magic are used not to show off skills but to create otherworldly effects: a headstand in a bucket, a serpentine hammer-juggling dance. There’s something of the melancholy clown in their world as they strive to create and express themselves. It’s exquisite, thought-provoking, witty and strange. And the sawdust smells amazing too.

Sawdust Symphony, Zoo Southside, until 25 August, 10am; main picture: Jona Harnischmacher .