In the back alley of Summerhall lies the venue and experience everyone has been talking about this Fringe — Sauna Theatre, an 80-person sauna venue co-founded by Lucy Osborne and James Grieve.
This was my first time experiencing Aufguss, a sensory ritual of circulating steam and essential oils using towel or fan waving choreography. I was admittedly unprepared and slightly sceptical about the immersive experience about to take place, but the show completely blew me away.
The three sauna masters demonstrate an expert command of the space, moving effortlessly around the room while wafting scents of patchouli, rosemary, lemongrass and more. Each of the four sections has its own carefully chosen scent blend, which was introduced to the audience at the beginning of the performance.
Following the advice of a lovely American woman I met who had visited the sauna multiple times, I spent the first three sections on the top layer, where the heat was most intense, before moving to the bottom for the finale. Here, all three performers moved around the space together, their choreography generating gusts of air and sending luxurious waves of heat washing over the audience.
Between each performance, which lasted roughly ten minutes, audiences were invited to brave the cold showers or plunge pools outside the sauna. For those less keen on the plunge, the brisk air as autumn approaches was enough to cool down, while the venue also offered 0% lager, cold water and natural snacks to keep everyone hydrated. Keen to immerse myself fully, I bravely plunged into the cold each time, gaining a newfound respect for my fellow swimmers’ ability to withhold their expletives as the water rushed over them.
Combined with Nils Frahm’s music, atmospheric lighting and carefully selected scents, this was perhaps the most immersive experience I have had at this Fringe. Frahm’s powerful beats and electronic piano move effortlessly between house-party energy and meditative calm, while the steam rising from the hot coals and the sound of melting crushed ice engage every sense.
As younger generations increasingly seek outdoor activities and experiences less centred around drinking, Summerhall’s Sauna Theatre feels like the perfect Fringe offering. Drawing audiences from all demographics, it is a genuinely unique experience, offering something at times quite literally refreshing, from the traditional theatre on offer.
Aufguss x Nils Frahm has completed its run at the Edinburgh Fringe, at Sauna Theatre at Summerhall as of 31 August
Image by Victoria Haydn provided to The Student for press use
