Rewind
New Diorama Theatre, London

THE Ephemeral Ensemble are a dynamic, multinational company whose work addresses questions of a social and political nature. Their latest production honours the work of the Argentinian Forensic Department set up in 1986 to identify the remains of some of the 30,000 desaparecidos who vanished during the Dirty War waged by the military junta on its people between 1974 and 1983.

The show opens with a brief introduction by a member of the cast reminding us of the importance of reclaiming our historical memory from any enforced narration, and especially for South American countries. References to our own recent restrictions on free speech and involvement during the Thatcher years in Argentina’s atrocities makes the following performance even more telling.

The hour-long show is a largely non-verbal performance following the exhumation of a young woman, interwoven with visions of her life and death and the effect on her grieving mother from years of searching.

Alex Paton’s phenomenal, multi-instrumental compositions and accompaniment with traditional Latin American rhythms support every element of the production as new instruments and vocal effects are added to the soundscape. Sometimes hauntingly tragic, sometimes thrilling with life and energy, his musical collage establishes the atmosphere and pace of the interlaced scenes.

The other four actors skilfully employ a range of imaginative techniques to fuse the scenes together from a life-affirming dance fiesta, transforming into a demonstration, to powerful images of the grief-crushed mother holding up the picture of her missing daughter for anyone to identify. Stop-start, fast-forward sequences to replicate video recordings of the girl are contrasted with the precise movements and actions of the forensic team at work.

Gradually, through personal objects, realistic skeletal puppets and visual memories, the past is brought back to life as the dead are exhumed and their identities are confirmed.

The reality of the performance and its effects are key elements in the style of the show, and director Ramon Ayers has intentionally allowed all the carefully choreographed workings of the production including sound and lighting to be laid bare, echoing the nature of the forensic search.

The final image of a wall of white boxes holding evidence of the missing dead, slowly transformed to show photographs of some of the actual victims is one that will stay with any audience member long after the show has closed.

Runs until February 10. Box office (020) 7383-9034 newdiorama.com