Opinionist: Under the Radar Festival

From the Netherlands comes LIGA, a mildly amusing lark by the Kassys ensemble, in which a group of rambunctious actors take over a stage strewn with eclectic objects and behave like children discovering the world as if for the first time. Anyone who's taken an introductory improv class will be familiar with the exercise, and perhaps wonder whether it's such a good idea to present it as a finished work of theater. But though the show feels too cute by half, there's something ultimately winning about the troupe's awkward enthusiasm. Their goofy antics are somewhat balanced by a wearied onstage sound and lighting operator, who occasional intercedes to save the "children" from total Pandemonium. The show's director also barges in to steer her actors into their silliest scene, a festive barbecue reenacted with ridiculous props, which is probably funnier than it sounds. As a whole, the 70 minute LIGA feels light as air—perhaps too light for some tastes, but at least you walk out with room for more. (Photo courtesy Klaas Paradies.)