A group of squatters take over a building and throw a party in aid of ‘A Better Planet’, a scheme the group wants to deploy to rid the world of capitalism. Their peaceful (and drug-fueled) party doesn’t quite go to plan when a party-goer dies. Was it the drugs, an accident or was she murdered? Body of Water tells the varying stories that emerge out of an eclectic group of people and the drugs that they take.

Made From Scratch, a relatively new company, takes to the Edinburgh Festival with its new piece. The Pleasance Courtyard – or more precisely the Pleasance Below – acts as its performance space, but unfortunately Body of Water struggles to squeeze into the space. This, of course, is not the company’s fault, just the sign of a festival that attempts to squeeze as much work in as possible. Thankfully, to compensate for the squashed stage, the cast are a lively and energetic ensemble, who play everything from police inspectors to ghosts of the past to drugged-up anti-capitalists. It’s a bold piece for such a young company, but one that is tackled with full force.

Body of Water is episodic in its presentation, switching between scenes and storylines, often telling the story back-to-front. It does require some concentration on the audience’s part, but this is rewarded with a ‘whodunit’ style of narrative, especially as the plot thickens towards the end of the show. It tackles some difficult subject matter, especially the way in which people who squat are downtrodden in our society – there is an excellent line where one character says to the police that everyone’s ideological way of living is different and you shouldn’t be mistreated because of it. We’re all different – and we should all embrace this, although I’m sure the company don’t want to be promoting substance abuse!

For an emerging company, Made From Scratch tackles this new piece of writing with determination. There are excellent conceived ensemble moments, and the company possesses a particular knack for directing the audience’s focus as it swaps between characters – no easy task. It may not have been entirely to my taste, but it is an imaginative and narrative driven piece, and certainly worth supporting as a younger company finding their feet.

Body of Water is playing at the Pleasance Courtyard until 29th August. For more information see the website here.