What I liked
Everything – from the moment Soleil begins goofily greeting every single audience member in a bear hug to the final moments they recreate it in an entirely different context with sustained eye contact, they so uniquely help us understand the impossible dichotomy of family which both tortures you and loves you in equal measure. These pieces of detritus which form our lives and our memories. Soleil effortlessly dancing through pain in such a way that seems improvised yet is clearly meticulous in thought and structure. The gorgeous soundscape and the melding of audio, live performance and video montage. That moment where a voice suggests they are just like their father at the same moment they are undressing from the male costume they don from the first minute (woof the gender play alone in this is something special). I dunno but I can’t stop typing so… ok done.
What I didn't like
Nothing, but Soleil does make you believe that your worst familial relationships could be improved. A romantic idea, but a stunning one nonetheless. This is easily one of the best shows you’ll see at Fringe this or any year.
My overall impression
Soleil rattled my entire physiognomy. Dragonfish is like being invited into someone’s pulsating open wound – it is the kind of show which makes you reconsider your hardest, most calcified assumptions of yourself and of the world. It is easily one of the most extraordinary performance pieces I’ve ever seen.
