Sometimes it’s all a little too much. The world overwhelms your efforts to make sense of it.

And the kicker is, you never see it coming. Take last night. I’d pulled into the Garage Bar to fill the tank before spinning over to Project to catch Ad Vitam. And I’d only just parked myself when I totally got roached. Now, I’d never reproach anyone for a difference of opinion – especially this particular individual. I mean, I respect her approach. Deeply respect, in fact. But, dammit, that’s part of the problem, because apparently we define ‘deep’ completely differently. And as I’m trying to puzzle out how the, er, lingo she advises could get us down this road in a revolutionary manner – whilst ignoring a volunteered scurrilous jest of coppers with feelings – I turn to find I’m adjoined by two men, one of ACTION, the other an enfant terrible with a year-old creed of fifty scantily clad men in blonde wigs, clambering athwart an audience.

And then the house lights went down.

Truth is, of course, whatever curveball life throws our way, most of us are up to it. Sure, we might strike out – but at least we know the rules, and get to play the odds as we wish. But what about those who don’t?

Carlotta Sagna’s Ad Vitam,  probing as it does the borders of normality and pathology, is a work that brings into stark relief the isolation and disjunction suffered by those for whom life is not easy. Those who don’t fit; who will never find the right pitch.

A monologue of heart-rending honesty complements a restricted, repetitive movement language that reflects the compulsiveness, stereotypy and self-directed violence that can afflict those with impaired social interaction and communication skills. If you know, love and care for anyone so afflicted, there are moments of great authenticity here, handled with respect and sensitivity. If you don’t, then I can only commend this work to you in the strongest terms possible. You can still get a ticket here.

Tonight – the penultimate night of the festival – I’m off to see  Double Track. God, it’s hard to believe we’re almost done. Let’s make the most of it…