Subterranea, The Laurels Whitley Bay Review
Written by Stacy for Theatre and Tonic.
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.
It’s the year 2029, 5 years after a nuclear attack sent the people of the North Earth underground. Well, not everyone; only those who couldn’t afford shelters above ground. It was only supposed to be for a month; then they could resurface, but they’re still there, in the tunnels, under the city…
Peachplant and Laurels present Subterranea; a play that takes audiences on a deeply moving journey, that is interjected with humanity and joy. This production taps into a world of tension, isolation, and the primal human desire for escape, yet layers elements of love, family and hope to create a compelling theatre experience.
Subterranea tells the story of a group of individuals trapped underground, cut off from the world above due to a nuclear attack. As time wears on, the characters grapple with claustrophobic living, fear, and the breakdown of social structures. This post-apocalyptic scenario isn’t just about survival; it explores the psychological effects of confinement, the erosion of identity, and the dark places the human mind can travel when confronted with the unknown.
The play's themes of isolation and paranoia, a ‘them’ and ‘us’ survival mentality which is unquestionably relevant in today’s world reflecting societal anxieties and control, is successfully captured through smart impactful staging that amplifies the intensity of the characters' internal and external conflicts.
The ensemble delivers raw and visceral performances that heighten the unsettling atmosphere of the production. The balance between the quiet day-to-day routines of life are off-set with the growing tensions of palpable dread that captured their suffocating realisation, as the hopelessness of their situation dawned. From a happy home, filled with tender and thoughtful moments, Sophie (Natasha Haws) and Charlie (Adam Donaldson) present their little corner of the world. The audience is greeted with touching moments of love and laughter, of finding joy in the madness of life, through thoughtful gifts, unabashed dancing and even Bovril. The chemistry between the pair is real; with heartfelt and hard scenes they present the varying emotions that exist in the small, suffocating world they must escape from. Jean (Judi Earl) gives a stellar performance as Sophie’s mam. Portraying a tough and savvy exterior that melts away to reveal a woman who would do anything for her daughter which is realised in a poignant scene that reduced many to tears. The trio are accompanied by SA performing arts students who embody the lives of those ‘below’ and together manifest the fear, mistrust, and occasional moments of fleeting camaraderie that breaks through the madness.
Co-Directed by Lucy Curry and Paula Penman, their direction comes alive in the rhythmical nature of the day-to-day nature of living in the ‘below’ and through constant movement and flow the piece gradually builds the suffocating atmosphere of Subterranea. Richard Power’s concise set of repurposed Metro carriages is designed for impact to embody the stark and claustrophobic world of life underground, this is offset with traces of life and love as the characters carve their lives with accents of joy to survive in the underground space.
Written by Curry and Carl Wylie, the narrative is ambitious; the piece swung between feeling too big for the performing space at Laurels, to the small space adding to the claustrophobic atmosphere needed. Yet somewhere between the two, a play with a hopeful future has emerged.
Subterranea delivers an impactful exploration of the human condition in its most extreme circumstances. From laughter to tears the commitment to seeking a captivating theatrical experience is undeniable.
At The Laurels, Whitley Bay until 28 September 2024.
★ ★ ★ ★ .5
