THEATRE REVIEW: The Island - The Lowry Theatre, Salford.

Friendship and the human spirit, under terrible pressure and stressed further to the point of breaking. ‘The Island’ delivered a dramatic punch that had its audience captivated from start to finish. Elysium Theatre Company, started 2017 by director Jake Murray and actor Danny Solomon, aims to tour sell-out theatre works around the north of England. With a high number of positive reviews and awards in both theatre and film, this company is one to keep an eye on and get out to the theatre to support.

South Africa’s highly regarded playwright, novelist, actor, and director Athol Fugard, who’s novel ‘Tsotsi’ was turned into an Oscar winning film, collaborated with actor-directors, John Kani and Winston Ntshona to create the piece ‘The Island’. Set on Robben Island, South Africa 1973, two cell mates John and Winston survive their harsh conditions through laughter and solidarity. Drama erupts as elation over John’s new soon-to-be-release date causes Winston to be overcome with jealousy. John’s vision to present the politically charged play ‘Antigone’ at the prison’s concert drives the men to stay true to their core values and not be broken by the cruel totalitarian establishment that has incarcerated them, giving them purpose and saving their friendship.

Actors Ewen Cummins and Daniel Poyser as John and Winston give a wonderful performance of two contrasting personalities, who fortunately can make one another laugh and are bonded over the injustice of their situation. Fugard doesn’t give much in way of details of the political situation and outside world, for some this makes the characters John and Winston more relatable as the simple theme of imprisonment can be universal. Cummins and Poyser make John and Winston likeable with the feeling of a sincere rapport between the two characters and physical comedy talent that doesn’t fail to draw one another out of their moments of tiredness and turmoil and endear them to the audience.

A challenging opening scene was met with determination from director Jake Murray, the opening physical sequence, where John and Winston toil over wheelbarrows with no dialogue was performed in mime complemented by a backing track of deep throbbing bass sounds that emphasised further the gruelling physical task the prisoners were facing, whilst also giving energy to a movement section of repetitive movement. The play then shifted gears as we followed the men back to their cell, where arguments, laughter, elation and doubts were shared. Murray’s direction in movement around the cell and between two characters made the action feel huge in a confined space. The ending took us to an outside area, where the two men finally perform ‘Antigone’ out to the audience, their play within a play, I enjoyed how this included the audience and felt suddenly immersive.

All round a great show, performed by talented actors and brought to life by an incredible production company. The Lowry was the last dates for this current tour, but if you see further works by Elysium Theatre Company I highly recommend getting along to see their work.

Reviewer - Kerry Ely
on - 16.3.23