The Shatter Box – The Lion & Unicorn Theatre
The Shatter Box, written by James Lewis and directed by David Brady, comes with a promising premise. Set in a dystopian world, a man awakens in a cage inside a mysterious facility. His captors probe him for the truth, though they themselves seem unsure of what they're seeking. The cage will only open when he provides the right answer. This intriguing setup, blending themes of ethics, scientific exploration and human consciousness, should generate gripping drama, but unfortunately falls short of its potential.
At the heart of the story are four main characters: the prisoner (Fred Wardale), the examiner (Gabrielle Nellis-Pain), the guard (Nick Hardie), and the carer (Lauren Ferdinand). Despite life-and-death stakes, their performances generally lack the urgency needed. Wardale’s...
