The Raft of the Crab
★★★★☆ Inventively emotional
Manipulate @ Studio Theatre: Fri 6 Feb 2026
Review by Hugh Simpson
The Raft of the Crab, at the Studio Theatre for one performance only as part of Manipulate, is an engaging, human and wonderfully performed piece from Scotland-based Ninon Noiret, detailing her diagnosis of cancer, her treatment and recovery.
The production (in association with Beacon Arts Centre) uses puppetry, dance, spoken word and Chinese pole, but this is one of those pieces where a simple description can hardly do justice to the effect.
Ninon Noiret in The Raft of the Crab. Pic: Gabriel Stella.
The subject matter, and a list of techniques used can make it seem forbidding, difficult, depressing or even somewhat arch, but this is none of those things. Instead, it is a thoroughly accessible, constantly involving and creative piece. If at times the narrative is elliptical, it is always poetic and emotionally direct.
The subject matter would lend itself to being described as ‘uplifting’ or ‘life-affirming’ but this is nothing so pat. Instead, it is realistic and at times emotionally messy, but all the better for it.
integrated into the narrative
The direction – by Noiret and Camille Marmié – is supple and inventive, with the various strands knitted together elegantly. Gavin Glover’s puppets, which seem to reflect facets of Noiret’s personality, are used beautifully, while Noiret’s movement is expressive.
Some of the Chinese pole work is jaw-droppingly impressive, but it is never there for its own sake, being convincingly integrated into the narrative.
Ninon Noiret in The Raft of the Crab. Pic Gabriel Stella.
Michaella Fee’s lighting is dramatic, while Jim Harbourne’s sound design is first rate. There is some Breton-tinged but undeniably contemporary dance music, led by the unusual combination of Fender Rhodes and bass clarinet, that presumably is the ‘additional composition by Fleuves’ listed in the programme. Either way, it is utterly appropriate as well as thrilling in its own right.
There are moments towards the end where it starts to become a little too self-referential, with material about the nature of art and performance that muddies the waters where everything else has had a definite clarity. Even when describing artists’ tendency to ‘use their pain’, however, this is playful rather than po-faced.
For both its visual content and its emotional resonance, this is highly recommended and any future performances will be well worth seeking out.
Running time: One hour (no interval)
Studio Theatre, 22 Potterrow, EH8 9BL
Friday 6 February 2026
One performance: 8pm
Tickets and details: Book here.
Ninon Noiret in The Raft of the Crab. Pic Gabriel Stella.
ENDS
