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Box Clever

The Bunker

Reviewed – 28th March 2019

★★★★★

“a realistic insight into an unpleasant world of abuse and despair”

Since opening in 2016 the Bunker Theatre has remained true to the initial objective of being home to exhilarating and contemporary theatre, representing the world in which we live. The current season, announced as revolutionary from new artistic director Chris Sonnex, features a double bill of one-woman shows – namely Killymuck and Box Clever. Whilst each show can be seen individually on separate dates, watching both the same day is recommended, as whilst very different, together they have a connection of putting female benefits-class and working-class voices forward.

Box Clever written by Monsay Whitney tells the story of Marnie a young single mother and highlights the problems of getting into a circle of abuse, homelessness and despair. Using the same Minglu Wang set and production team as Killymuck (less the centre soil), Box Clever takes the viewer through a diverse set of emotions as Marnie’s life spirals downwards over a ten year period. It begins as extremely funny and yet as the play progresses it becomes heartbreakingly sad.

Marnie is brilliantly portrayed by Redd Lily Roche who enters the stage in white jeans and t-shirt stained with blood. She has a violent off stage boyfriend, Liam – the blood likely being from his violent behaviour towards her. Other males in her life are unpleasant towards her too.

When Marnie is telling the stories of her boyfriends and others she comes in contact with, the dialogue is exceptionally funny. One could almost imagine the character and stories being picked up by a TV producer and being a successful late evening show. Her interaction with boyfriends, her key worker and mum are all very cleverly written and fun to watch.

However as the play progresses and she goes to live at a Women’s Refuge the text becomes darker and more sinister. It is clear that she is not in the safe place she expected. Her four year old daughter is represented by a white balloon that Roche brings to life with her caring attitude to do the best for her. Her interactions with her daughter are totally believable.

The direction from Stef O’Driscoll is perfect, Joe Price’s lighting supports the drama and Benjamin Grant’s sound design underlines the tension. This piece more than anything else I have seen this year had an immediate and profound effect on me. I left the theatre inspired by the performance from Redd Lily Roche who gave a realistic insight into an unpleasant world of abuse and despair. It is an unmissable show – well done to W14 Productions and The Bunker for bringing it to a London audience.

Reviewed by Steve Sparrow

Photography by Craig Sugden

Box Clever

The Bunker until 13th April

Last ten shows reviewed at this venue:

Reboot: Shorts 2 | ★★★★ | October 2018

The Interpretation of Dreams | ★★★ | November 2018

Sam, The Good Person | ★★★ | January 2019

Welcome To The UK | ★★ | January 2019

My White Best Friend | ★★★★★ | March 2019

Click here to see more of our latest reviews on thespyinthestalls.com

★★★★

“an honest and informative play that confirms that we are not all born equal”

Since opening in 2016 the Bunker Theatre has remained true to the initial objective of being home to exhilarating and contemporary theatre, representing the world in which we live. The current season, announced as revolutionary from new artistic director Chris Sonnex, features a double bill of one-woman shows – namely Killymuck and Box Clever. Whilst each show can be seen individually on separate dates, watching both the same day is recommended, as whilst very different, together they have a connection of putting female benefits-class and working-class voices forward.

Written from personal experience by Kat Woods Killymuck tells the story of Niamh, a young woman growing up below the poverty line on a Northern Ireland housing estate in the late 1970’s Thatcher Years. We are given an insight into what growing up on a council estate is like and how it can affect the present and inform the future.

Designer Minglu Wang has created a versatile space from which we learn much about Niamh’s family and friends and the experiences that forge her personality. Whilst telling her life stories she is generally within the confines of a square surrounded by eight vertical fluorescent tubes. When she steps outside of these she takes on a lecturer style giving the audience facts about equality and class. It both informs and entertains. We learn about her unpleasant alcoholic father but also laugh along with her stories of local boys, a Ouji Board and babysitting for the sex worker who lives next door.

The part of Niamh is played with much confidence, energy and conviction by the outstanding Aoife Lennon. Her performance is faultless and thoroughly deserved the rousing applause she received from the attentive audience. The lighting design from Joe Price enhances the actor’s performance and Benjamin Grant’s sound design also adds to the atmosphere. The direction from Caitriona Shoobridge ensures Lennon keeps the pace of this thought provoking play and makes perfect use of the space available.

Overall this is a fine piece of theatre from three very talented women involved in the writing, acting and direction of an honest and informative play that confirms that we are not all born equal and don’t all have the same opportunities in life.

Reviewed by Steve Sparrow

Photography by Craig Sugden