Review by Steve Bennett

One of those shows that's fallen foul of the Fringe's necessary partitioning of the programme, Deeper Underground is more a witty piece of physical theatre than it is an out-and-out comedy.

Set on a malfunctioning Tube train, four travellers daydream of escape, of nightclubbing, of Hollywood, or of murder. The characters are a frustrated businessman, a petrified backpacker, a bored shop worker and an attention-seeking raver - all expertly, if superficially, characterised by the talented cast.

What verbal comedy there is doesn't amount to much - unseen American tourists pronouncing Leicester Square or predictable jibes about the Underground going to pot - but this is all about the dance and mime, not the words.

Perfectly choreographed, and possibly featuring the funkiest soundtrack on the fringe, our quartet skillfully re-enact scenes from their imagination, including a specially impressive Matrix-style fight sequence.

Deeper Underground provokes a quick late-night blast of pure energy. With more kick than a vodka Red Bull it's a perfect prelude to some serious partying.

There's not much of a yardstick to measure this oddity by, but it is great fun.

Review date: 1 Jan 2003
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett