The Shatter Box is a 70-minute theatre production set in an interrogation facility in a near-future dystopia.
It’s not immediately apparent how near-future we are – but it’s a world in which Suella Braverman is still an MP, however daunting that prospect may seem. What becomes obvious, however, is that the younger generation is facing a crisis of confidence and identity.
We open with Knight (Fred Wardale) contained within a cell in the centre of the performance space. A haunting soundscape informs us that his vital signs are being monitored and that a process referred to as ‘extraction’ appears to be in progress.
From this mysterious beginning, Castle (Nick Hardie), and Bishop (Lauren Ferdinand) begin to give us some information. Not a lot, though – more their feelings, thoughts, and regrets than any concrete information about where or when we are or why. This does help to create a suitably creepy atmosphere. We might not know precisely what is happening – but it is clear that this is not a good place and that even the staff are afraid.
Castle and Bishop are shortly replaced on stage by Reina (Gabrielle Nellis-Pain), who is plainly here to interrogate Knight. You may be thinking that all of these character names make this sound like a game of chess. This would be accurate, and would give an extra edge to proceedings, but none of these character names were actually used during the performance – we only know them from the provided programme.
Reina gives off very strong vibes that she has found herself in one of the more unpleasant scenes from A Clockwork Orange. She speaks in riddles, rarely imparting any direct answers to Knight’s many questions. This would be fine if the audience had been given any clue as to what was happening. Whilst the lack of knowledge may make us empathise with Knight, it ultimately makes it difficult for us to engage, so unclear is the premise.
Some facts begin to emerge, albeit slowly, and with perhaps a lack of clarity. Are we in Orwell’s 1984? Or Spielberg’s realisation of Dick’s Minority Report? Or something else entirely?
It becomes clear that we’re supposed to understand that whilst this facility was initially used to ‘correctly’ incarcerate “murderers and rapists”, there now appears to have been ‘mission creep’. It’s perhaps a metaphor for the slow slide towards totalitarianism that seems to occur whenever due legal process is abandoned, as is clearly the case in the society which exists outwith this facility.
Reina and Knight continue their verbal tango, both increasingly desperate. Reina wants to know Knight’s truth. Knight just wants to leave. Castle, a security guard at the facility who’s enjoying his ego trip a little too much, wants to stir the pot. From outside Castle’s cell he taunts him endlessly, jeering that he’ll tell the truth eventually.
Complexities begin to occur. Reina needs to crack Castle, and a devastating flashback shows us why – and infers what happens when the person in the cell refuses to cooperate.
When the narrative reaches its conclusion, it’s both devastating, and, in the moment, somehow predictable, the foreshadowing having been scattered throughout the script.
Throughout the performance, the soundscape keeps on playing in the background, bubbling underneath the action, and adding tension that would otherwise be difficult to achieve within the restrictions placed on any fringe theatre production.
The performances are all excellent. Special mention should be made of Fred Wardale, who conveys fear, despair, confusion, and defiance as he acts within the tiny space his Knight is confined to.
Overall, this is a solid piece of theatre. There are a few surprises here, though, depending on how much the script wants to think there are. If creepy, dystopian, extra-judicial punishment stories are your thing, then you’ll find much to chew on here. If you want a bit more exposition with your philosophical musings, then this may not be for you.
A thought-provoking dive into the existential angst of the younger generation, wrapped up in a light sci-fi jacket, The Shatter Box provides no easy answers to the difficult questions being asked by those trying to take their first steps within the adult world.
The Shatter Box continues at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town, until September 14th.
