Review: Subterranea at Laurels Theatre
A dystopian drama set underground five years after a nuclear strike might not seem like the obvious place to find warmth, joy and laughs.
But this co-production from Peachplant Productions and Laurels Theatre serves up the lot… and also managed to leave me in quite the state.
Before leaving for the Whitley Bay venue, my excellent husband told me to ring him when I was on my way back and he’d start running a bath. (If you’re thinking he’s a keeper, you would be 100% correct.)
The phone call did not go to plan. I struggled to get a coherent word out between sobs and he thought I’d been in a car accident. Or taken hostage. I should have just texted him a bath/thumbs up emoji combo while I gathered myself enough to drive home.
It’s not often I’m moved to a full on cry in the theatre, but such was the chemistry between, and the performances from Natasha Haws, Adam Donaldson and Judy Earl (respectively playing young couple Sophie and Charlie and Sophie’s mam, Jean) - and the nightmare situation they were facing - I had pretty much forgotten they were pretending.
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We meet the family in 2029 Newcastle - or more accurately, under 2029 Newcastle.
It’s five years since an apparent nuclear attack, which saw the have-nots take cover in the confines of the Metro tunnels, awaiting news from those who could afford above ground shelter as to when it would be safe to re-emerge.
As the short stay they were sold turned into an interminable one, these three made themselves as comfortable as a knackered Metro carriage and some creative home-making crafts would allow (lovely stuff from The Set Guise)… while somehow managing to create a daily routine featuring heavy shades of normal.
(I’m determined to introduce full on getting-ready dance routines by Christmas in our household.)
Finding joy in the tiniest of pleasures has become part of the everyday as this tight little family do their best to keep living vs existing, while still planning for a future in a place where flowers grow, the sun reaches your face and babies are permitted.
Sophie and Charlie work to earn credits for food and bills in The Below; Jean is a bit more of a maternal wheeler dealer type - sorting out the food parcels for the tunnel folk as well as sourcing and trading what she can from The Above.
A combination of bad news alongside what would normally be considered good news leads the trio to spearhead a dangerous mission and harness the growing unrest among the underground community whose patience - despite their best community efforts and Northern Soul-inspired dance nights - is running thin.
One of the shortlisted entries for Laurels’ inaugural Richard Jenkinson Commission, Subterranea is a moving reminder of what humans will do for and to each other and touches on some big themes around class, privilege and power… but its strengths are in the micro rather than the macro.
Lucy Curry and Carl Wylie’s script is brimming with heart and humour and whips along, aided by some deft work from Paula Penman who shares directing responsibilities with Lucy.
The cast are collectively and individually terrific - it’s particularly lovely to see Haws back on stage, and she delivers a beautifully understated and heart-tugging performance as Sophie.
She and Donaldson really capture an authentic and heartwarming closeness between Sophie and Charlie, complete with gentle ribbing; a bit of bickering and a whole lot of proper love.
Meanwhile the relationship between Earl’s Jean and her daughter provides a big wave of the play’s emotional heft.
The main cast is supported by a rotating ensemble from Byker’s SA Performing Arts with three groups of four young actors playing fellow members of the tunnel community as well as ensuring the aforementioned clever (and also rotating) set is changed efficiently - and tunefully, complimenting Calum Howard’s excellently pitched sound design.
All in all, did I love this? Yes I did. #IYKYN1
Subterranea is playing at Laurels until September 28 and there are lots of ticket discounts and deals to ensure it’s accessible as it can be. More details and bookings via the website.
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