L’Addition theatre review: Fantastical living cartoon
A Sisyphean project from a double act that turns repetition and frustration into an addictive artform

Bert and Nasi have something to tell us, and they want to make it as clear and simple as possible. That is why this increasingly manic double act take a moment at the start and explain to the audience exactly what they’re about to do. Which is essentially an extended restaurant routine between a waiter and a customer, with the waiter continuing to pour wine into the customer's glass even though it is overflowing. As they do so, alas, the duo manage to tie themselves in semantic knots before they proceed.
Once they get started, they do exactly what they promised with umpteen variations on a theme. Under the directorial guidance of Forced Entertainment’s Tim Etchells, Bert and Nasi become a fantastical living cartoon, taking the everyday absurdities of human behaviour to the limit. The whirlwind of repetitive action is a hypnotic glimpse into Bertrand Lesca and Nasi Voutsas’ Sisyphean Groundhog Day-style construction, which stays wilfully stuck in the groove that never allows its hapless diner to make it to the first course, let alone get to pay the bill. As Bert and Nasi run around in ever decreasing circles, may their wine glasses forever runneth over.
L’Addition, Summerhall, until 25 August, 11.30am; main picture: Christophe Raynaud de Lage .