Ten actors stand silently with bowed heads as the audience enters the auditorium. In the dim blue lighting we can make out pieces of corrugated iron and large machine cogs. This is a gloomy dystopian land.
In this world of the future, there are two classes of people: the citizens who live above ground and live a comfortable life; and the workers who live below ground, leading a miserable existence. The citizens’ light, power and their whole lifestyle depend on the efforts of the workers.
It’s a hundred years since the city of Goliath was founded. Citizens live a good if unexciting life. They are largely unaware of how they are manipulated into docility by their Leader.
Above ground there is no darkness and no natural light, but citizens have the benefit of powerful lights. However, the workers below ground are kept in dark unhealthy servitude with no fresh air. The almost dehumanised workers are just cogs in a machine designed to serve the interests of the Leader and the citizens above ground.
There are no public records of what life was like before the lights went out. However, some of the older citizens remember their grandparents telling them about pre-Goliath times when people had natural light and contrasting darkness. Yewsby, in particular, is keen to see what life would be like if the lights were switched off. He wants to see the stars.
Other citizens pore over some ancient documents and photographs they have found describing life more than 100 years ago. They read about ‘austerity’, politicians promising ‘change’, and the voters being disillusioned by broken promises. Sound familiar?
A chance meeting with a mechanic fixing a faulty generator alerts some citizens to the existence of the underground workers. They have read about ‘strikes’ in the old documents and are angry about the plight of the workers. What would happen if they persuaded them to go on strike?
So much hard work has clearly gone into this thought-provoking production by the Edinburgh-based Strange Town Youth Theatre. It’s good to see such commitment and enthusiasm from the young cast.
The script is the product of weekly sessions of workshops and improvisations, which started last September. The actors have worked closely with writer Eleanor McMahon who has incorporated their ideas and feedback in her script.
The large cast of 22 work well together and all of them contribute to a stimulating, fast-moving sixty-minute show.
The actors are aged between 14 and 18. Acting standards vary but there are no weak links, and this is a real team effort. They should all be proud of what they have achieved.
Elsiebelle McGarvey, Jamie Duffin, Josie O’Brian, Sibhe Fahey, Alice Walker, Rory Linnane, Eva Campbell, Mimi Robertson, Pola Kaspryzk and Jacob Watson play the workers.
Jakub Bednarczyk, Louise Salguiero, Immie Bolton, Tristan Wake, Ellis Cadwallender, Ava McDonald, Sam Berridge, Katie Slater, Sonny Wallace, Jack Lister, Charlotte MacRobert-Ross and Layla Storstein are the citizens. Steve Small and Max Bednarcyk provide voiceovers.
Several of the cast spoke too quietly at times. And some of them also spoke too quickly. This meant that words or lines were sometimes lost. And cues were on occasions picked up so quickly that I felt their characters hadn’t really been given time to react convincingly to some important information.
But, having said that, I would also point out that professional actors often get several previews before reviewers see their work. This Youth Theatre production had just two performances. Congratulations to all of the actors and to the creative and backstage team.
Director Bradley Lewis Cannon (assisted by Charlie Houston) also directed the movement, and chose the filmic, rousing music as well as the dramatic sound effects. Movement plays an important part in this production and is outstanding. It is particularly effective in capturing the drudgery endured by the workers, as well as their interaction with the ‘enforcers’.
Production Designer Katie Innes has produced a simple but effective set. The contrast in costumes between the workers and the citizens is telling.
George Cort’s atmospheric lighting provides a striking contrast between life above and below ground. Cynthia Cheung stage managed well a very busy show.
We live in unsettling times. This imaginative Youth Theatre production grapples with important political and social issues and invites us to care about and look after all of our fellow human beings. If we do so, then there is hope for a less bleak future.
Reviewer: Tom Scott
Reviewed: 21st June 2025
North West End UK Rating: