by Katie SmythSquareOne Entertainment
Stellar Quines Theatre Company
Clambering past fellow audience members and nearly falling into your neighbour's pint may not seem like the most comfortable theatre-going experience, but The Cave's cramped conditions suit the social claustrophobia of The Unconquered perfectly.
Trapped in the confines of bourgeois suburbia an unnamed girl spouts diatribes of rage at the mother who has stifled and smothered her in the name of a "good" upbringing. Yet far from being another commentary on teenage angst, Torben Betts' play plunges Britain into revolution, throws the Prime Minister into prison and puts anarchic junkies in charge of the mob. Social upheaval is watched with trepidation through the sitting room window by one middle-class family afraid to leave the security of their "nice" things.
Mutiny also seems probable within the family as a girl incites her mother to join the revolution and leave a data entering husband she describes as 'that dullard who shares my bed'. However, too afraid to throw off her duties, the monthly salary and casseroles flavoured with fresh dill, mother stands her ground, attempting to ignore the flaws in the family's "well-oiled machine."
As their plight worsens under a US air raid and hunger that leaves them contemplating eating next door's cat, salvation appears in the shape of an uncouth soldier sent to restore the peace. Steeped in middle-class sensibilities the couple initially object more to his foul language than his unsavoury attention to their daughter. Yet eventually, they abandon all scruples for a string of sausages.
Though comedy is never more than a quip away, the marionette-like performances and stark, monochrome set effectively expose the false and arbitrary nature of the "things" we build our lives on. The play's ever-present calls for change and warnings to avoid your parents' mistakes leaves the audience yearning to join in, "build a bonfire and burn the boybands."
The Unconquered, touring until 31st March
www.stellarquines.com
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