(5 / 5)

If you had told me that there was a theatre in a sauna… I would have been confused and told you you were lying. Why would anyone think that (albeit genius) idea up? Well, in come Sauna Theatre, who have done just that and triumphed beyond anything. 

I love a sauna like anyone else, but it’s usually just a place you relax as a spa or post gym workout. Not somewhere I really thought of theatre being positioned. How would it work with the intense heat? How does a performer even get on with this environment? But my expectations were by far surpassed with actually how genius an idea this is. 

Sauna Theatre has set up at the wonderful Summerhall, with a huge circular sauna built in their courtyard. Everything is thought of – changing rooms, lockers, places to dry your hair after, spare flip flops, costumes, towels, the whole lot! Comms beforehand with all the things you need to bring as so clear but still, if you need anything or forget anything, it’s all there for you. 

There are a range of sessions you can join – some look like they pull on the traditional sauna, with relaxation sessions in the morning, but there are also raves, night time activities and, what I chose, Mysteries of the Picts – a storytelling, theatrical session where you are immersed in the sauna and the history of the Scottish lands. Anyone who knows me knows my deep love of Scotland, its history and everything in between and beyond. So to know more about the picts in such a setting was truly exciting. I couldn’t anticipate exactly how brilliant it was. 

Set in 3 sessions, there’s enough time to have a short break from the heat, quick cold plunge, drink and back into it. The acts felt like no time at all – I found out later that these were 15 mins each but they were so enjoyable and I was so involved that it felt like no time at all. It was only noticeable when the heat became ever so slightly uncomfortable, meaning the break was well needed and timed. This isn’t a criticism – this would happen at a normal sauna, but part of me never wanted to leave, another desperately needed some cool air. 

The sessions were broken up from the beginning to “the end” of the Picts, picking up on archeological finds and theories, with verbatim voice overs but mainly wonderful storytelling from two actors. They were supported by our Sauna gurus, who equally took up space, adding ice balls filled with beautiful scents of lavender, mead, thyme and then performing intricate and traditional fan and towel movements to circulate the air and smells. It was a wonderful equal measure of relaxation, awe and invested learning. It was absolutely perfect. It evoked the feeling of days gone by of swapping stories across a fireplace and potentially in sweat lodges such as this. It felt tribal, traditional and ancient. We felt part of something more earthly and worldly. 

The end really leaned into the relaxed lifestyle, when our sauna guides really became playful – water and scents dripping from immersed leaves were artfully moved around the space, around us and then, deeply submerged and playfully thrown across us. Cue laughter, an intense coolness and then increase in heat, smiles all around from participants and performers – it really was a beautiful ending to such a fantastic experience. 

Sauna Theatre, Sauna Sessions and especially, Mysteries of the Picts is a tour de force in immersive theatre. An experience like no other, I could do this over and over again, never tire, and only want more. It was total perfection.