Edinburgh 2013 Review: HeLa, Summerhall (Adura Onashile and Oxide) Although technically you might have to classify

it as such, to bill HeLa as half lecture, half theatre seems an injustice to this poignant, thought-provoking, enlightening venture from Adura Onashile and Oxide. HeLa is an exploration into the depths of cancer cell research from the early 1950s, focusing on cell samples taken from 31 year old Henrietta Lacks in 1951; cells which continue to change and influence scientific research to this day. The performance uncovers the woman behind the cells and serves as a gut-wrenching reminder of hideous days of racial segregation, whites only water fountains and black waiting rooms. The piece raises important ethical issues surrounding medical research and uncovers atrocities that have historically been swept under the carpet. An informative and relevant piece, if a law was passed to make this essential viewing, it would be no bad thing. 5/5

ED2013 Theatre Review: 35mm: A Musical Exhibition (As Told By Productions and Greenwich Theatre) If you have a vehement hatred of Glee, avoid this show like the plague. 35mm takes the adage a picture is worth 1,000 words, asking how many words a song is worth. Its composed entirely of songs, with projected photographs inspiring each one. Honestly, Im unsure that it achieves its potential. The images arent stunning as promised and theres a bias towards clichd love story (a song about a guardian angel accompanied by a solitary tear had me reaching for a bucket). That said, the audience was the most enraptured Ive seen at the fringe. I was in the wonderful position where youre the one Philistine whos not standing, and youve decided to sit on the front row. Not for me, but I was hideously outnumbered. Bedlam Theatre until 24 Aug (not 12) 6.00pm tw rating 2/5