Tube
Lion and Unicorn Theatre
Reviewed – 29th January 2020
★★★
“a clear portrayal of how relationships develop and intensify and the impact people can have on each other”
Two strangers on a tube meet and make conversation when the train comes to a sudden stop. A pretty normal scenario, you would think. You sit there for a few minutes and then you’re on your way again. In this story however, the tube stops and doesn’t move again. Rachel (Michaela Carberry) and “The Man” (George Damms) get to know each other over the course of the play. We see their relationship develop as they learn about each other in an intense, out of the ordinary situation.
“The Man” is a musician and Damms skilfully plays the guitar and sings at various points throughout. This is a nice addition and splits up the scenes effectively. Damms acts well and portrays a character who clearly has more to him than meets the eye and some emotional baggage it would have been interesting to find out more about. Carberry as Michaela is engaging to watch and shows good emotional range throughout her character’s ups and downs.
The set leaves quite a bit to the imagination, but a tube carriage is clearly conveyed by two “windows” at the back of the space with authentic signs you would find in a real carriage. The set space is also clearly marked by fluorescent tape, within which all the action takes place. This is an effective touch and could be said to help create the claustrophobic feeling you would experience if stuck inside a tube carriage for a prolonged period of time.
Joe Kerry (writer) has included modern references and relatable circumstances, such as Rachel’s uncertainty in her move to London to kick-start a career, making Tube relevant to audiences today. The two actors have received good direction from Bobby Standley but there is the danger, if sat at the side, that audience members may sometimes miss lines and facial expressions.
Tube is a clear portrayal of how relationships develop and intensify and the impact people can have on each other. In an un-naturalistic scenario, naturalistic themes are explored alongside a range of human emotion. Some scenes feel a bit disjointed, but a few twists and turns as well as music means we are kept engaged for the most part.
Reviewed by Emily K Neal
Tube
Lion and Unicorn Theatre
Last ten shows reviewed at this venue:
Like You Hate Me | ★★★ | April 2019
Mama G’s Story Time Roadshow | ★★★★★ | May 2019
River In The Sky | ★★½ | May 2019
Euan | ★★★★ | July 2019
A Shoddy Detective & The Art Of Deception | ★★ | August 2019
Blue Tights, Red Knickers And An ‘S’ On Her Vest | ★★★ | August 2019
Camp | ★★★ | August 2019
The Death Of Ivan Ilyich | ★★ | August 2019
Up The Bunty! | ★★★ | December 2019
Julius Caesar | ★★½ | January 2020
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