I find the name of the theatre company Gecko quite ironic. I once owned a gecko, and she was the laziest creature I have ever seen. On the other hand, this theatre company must be the most energetic group of people I have ever been in close proximity with. Their title is spot on; this performance is as athletic, as speedy and as exhausting as a race, but far more enjoyable.

The plot is fairly simple; a man who is content with his life of rushing between the office and the bar, with the occasional visit to his loving family, suddenly discovers his girlfriend is pregnant.

The play shows his emotional reaction to this news, from his initial shock to his doubts about his ability as a father, his inability to support his girlfriend and his fear of failing to protect his child.

None of this, however, is said. The dialogue itself is minimal, but the language used to convey this lead character's feelings is far more expressive; it ranges from facial expressions and nervous twitches to full-blown physical routines with bodies and tables flying around the stage.

The audience is lifted out of the ordinary world to a place where the most important thing is the unborn child; telephones become babies, dolls appear out of nowhere at an alarming rate and every conversation pivots on the impending birth.

In a world where so many things are taken for granted, this production shows fatherhood as something extraordinary, astounding and overwhelming, and reveals the largely unacknowledged fears and feelings of those facing it.

The Race' is an accomplished and stylish production; the performers work together brilliantly, the props are used intelligently, the routines are snappy, expressive and often joyful to watch, and the choice of music is excellent - you can't go wrong with two Nina Simone tracks in my eyes!

Not only this, it is truly engaging, and the final scene brought tears to my eyes in its beauty. If you've never seen physical theatre before, then this production is a brilliant way to start.