REVIEW: The Shatter Box by James Lewis at The Lion & Unicorn Theatre 8 -16 September 2023

‘intense dystopian drama, with an astonishingly clever reveal’  ★★★★★   

Absorbing dystopian drama from Proforça (the managing company at Lion and Unicorn Theatre) directed by David Brady.  It is set in a clandestine facility in which victims are relentlessly interrogated, but the catch is that they do not appear to have any understanding of why they are there or what secrets they have to offer.  It is not until the dénouement that everything falls into place and makes sense of what has gone before. With hindsight, the drama hits a nerve in the aftermath of lockdown.   

On entering the black box space, there are three well placed pieces of set, a cluttered control desk, a metal pillar with handcuffs attached and a metal cage, in which the victim lies, unmoving. It sets up the scene very nicely, with a feeling of claustrophobia and anticipation.  The central role of the victim is surrounded by three main peripheral roles of a nurse, a security guard and the interrogator with a fifth role of another victim.  In the course of the play, we learn the stories of each one which builds layers of intrigue and coercion. 

Some of the actors have worked with Proforça in the past, so not surprisingly the cast worked really well together, in their conflicting roles.  Particular mention to the brilliant Kieran Dee in the central role, and Dodie Finamore as the interrogator. Dee manages to keep his emotions low, with believable responses in the torture scenes, which gives more weight to his actions later the play. Finamore is chilling but never over the top, it’s a fine line which she manages very well. 

Right from the very first words there is a poetic lyricism to the piece, a feature of Proforça’s work (Feel, At Last), along with some direct address to the audience, which worked really well for this play. Fortunately, the dialogues are also engaging and full of static electricity. A healthy sense of conflict emerges, with just the right amount of energy applied. The highlights and lowlights are measured with great care.  It seems that the company is coming of age and all that early promise is coming to fruition. It might help that some of the creatives on board are outstanding artists in their own right, with poet Georgie Bailey on Dramaturgy and award-winning theatre maker Matthew Parker as Consultant Director. 

Of course, you cannot take it away from David Brady, who orchestrated the whole work. It is perhaps his best yet and it seems he might have hit upon a winning formula.

Read our interview with director David Brady on The Shatter Box here

Photography credit: Ross Kernahan

The Shatter Box by James Lewis

The Lion & Unicorn Theatre

8 -16 September 2023

BOX OFFICE https://www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com/whats-on

Tickets £15 | Concessions £13

SHOW INFORMATION:

WRITTEN BY: James Lewis

DIRECTED BY: David Brady
CAST: Kieran Dee (Knight), Dodie Finamore (Raena), Alex O'Donnell (Bishop), Nick Hardie (Castle), Melissa Phillips (King).

OTHER CREATIVES: Georgie Bailey (Dramaturg), Matthew Parker (Consultant Director)

RUNNING TIME: 70 Minutes (No Interval)

Reviewed by Heather Jeffery, Editor of London Pub Theatres Magazine