REVIEW: DISCMAN by Evan L Barker at Lion and Unicorn Theatre 26 - 27 October 2022

‘strong elements that the company can develop together from this whip-fast duologue’ ★★★

Evan L Barker's duologue about two brothers who find themselves in the ladies' public toilets, is a snappy 30-minute that explores themes of homelessness, male identity, drugs and cis-male performance. Directed by Andrew Kreuger, the piece zings along at record speed, the direction was heavily physical and muscular.

Hana Sofia's set design is not dissimilar to In-Yer-Face Theatre aesthetics : grubby, gritty and gleeful in it. Sofia captures the essence and themes of the play with skill in her design that reflects the male crisis of identity that seems to be at the heart of the play. Empty cans, dating stories and toy engines fill the space as the two actors throw themselves into their roles and the pace of the text.

Performed by Barker himself, and Iwan Bond as the elder leader of the two brothers, the two share great chemistry and their relationship is the core of what draws one in, as opposed to a straight forward linear plot. In fact, there's not much plot to speak of, they don't know why they're there, and they don't explore why or how. It flirts with absurdism a la Albee and then side steps Beckett. What exactly, though is it trying to say about these themes? Unfortunately, this brings no climax to the piece, and it feels more like a character profile than a full story of what happened to these two brothers.

The tension is in the air between the two of them, and it would have been more of a rollercoaster if there were greater peaks and troughs for the audience. The performances were what perhaps one comes away with, however, we never get under the surface of them. It would be great to see a fully realised story as opposed to 30 minutes on stage.

I look forward to what's next for The Shed and Barker as a writer, as there are strong elements that the company can develop together from this whip-fast duologue.

DISCMAN by Evan L Barker at Lion and Unicorn Theatre

Presented by The Shed Theatre Company

Reviewed by Emma Godwin