"Bunker" Spoiler-free Review

 

4 out of 5 stars

SAYArts
4 SHOWS REMAINING. TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

Play written by Alby T. Grace

As SA Youth Arts Theatre Co (or SAYArts for short) celebrates their 10^th year of performing in the Adelaide Fringe. Bunker becomes another example of the discipline a group of 13–18-year-olds can apply to develop a story that is attention-grabbing and engaging to an audience, ably led by an industry professional artists and creatives.

Lilly and Tim wake up in their thirteenth bunker, eight years into the apocalypse. They're stuck with the movie obsessed Johnny, who can't get through a speech without mixing up his film quotes. Throughout, they are joined by wild man Osbourne and eventually, a 3D printed AI android personification of the bunker. Why? Because this isn’t just any bunker, it's a Bunker, (insert umlaut on the U) one of the largest structures ever built by man. But who kidnapped who? What do Lilly and Tim really want? And should we be worried about the advanced AI now in a body?

Performing at the Prompt; Creative Centre on Pirie Street in the city, the stage is small and cornered by an array of seating, allowing the audience to see more than one side of the action. As we wait for the show to begin, there are 3 chairs on stage, surrounded by VHS tapes, DVDs, an old camcorder and an old boombox, among other smaller set decorations. This becomes a clue during the storyline regarding the original owner of the bunker, who doesn’t even know how to sign in to the AI system… their loss!

Taking into consideration that writer and director, Alby Grace (42, he/him) needed to jump into the role of Osbourne 2 weeks short of opening, he has done a great job in bringing his character into reality. Albeit a smaller role than others, Grace and fellow actor Kynan Hartley (Johnny) worked well together and appeared to have a bond that within their characters that is more than 2 weeks old, whether it be the playful banter, or the silly fight scene.

Beginning much of the opening moments in silence, Johnny has amazing access to the accent switch, often flicking between various accents pending what movie he may be attempting to quote. I particularly liked the Forrest Gump/ Hangover mashup. Kynan Hartley (19, he/him) really seemed to embody the role of Johnny, and appeared the most confident among the cast, short of Bunny. Special mention needs to go to the costume design of Johnny’s outfit matching the missing front from the one shoe he is wearing, with the equally torn bottom of his jeans on the opposite leg.

Nate Johnson (19, he/him) portrayed Bunny. But who is Bunny? Bunny is a 3D printed AI personification of the bunker. Bunny is short for Bunker… However ingenious this gimmick was in the writing process; it doesn’t take away from Nate’s ever-creepy smile. Kudos on holding it for the entire time. The way Johnson embodied this AI character certainly allows the audience to put a face (or a body) to the imagined future with AI robotics within our everyday lives, and I can only presume it wasn’t an easy feat to master and continuously maintain during rehearsals. A bit creepy really… but played brilliantly, nonetheless.

With the loveable nickname, TimTam – or just Tim, Charlie Storer (19, he/him) played the character well, although overshadowed at times by other characters with, in comparison, his modest character and voice. Whether this was intentional or not, it makes a greater impact in the final minutes when Tim opens up to Lilly about his true intentions. The final scene was really well performed by Storer, and I would have loved to see more of that level of confidence in the rest of the character leading to the final moments.

With an expletive bookending the production, Lilly, portrayed by Marianna De Tullio (19, she/her), snapped the audience into the story with her and the other characters. The stress and anguish Lilly was feeling while attempting in vain to free herself from the ropes was convincing and well thought out. While not in focus, De Tullio remained in character, engaged, and invested in the stories being told by the other characters. Lilly, alongside Tim, worked well as a couple (of great friends), sharing the turmoil that is the apocalypse across the past 8 years. De Tullio’s character is my favourite for this production.

There were moments when dialogue was rushed, and various characters slipped, but I’m happy to pen that to opening night nerves. Regardless, the story was well presented and as an ensemble, all of the actors presented the work with respect to the text and respect to the character they were embodying. Throughout, I questioned the bloody shirts worn by Lilly and Tim from the beginning and while Lilly’s was explained via a flashback, there was no exposition on how Tim had already gotten bloody prior to the beginning of the story. Similarly, I query the use of a coat hanger to stab someone to death. It’s not something I’m going to attempt, but I wouldn’t imagine it the most effective tool.

Special mention goes to Henry Allen for the music composed that was used throughout the One-Act play. Each piece of music carried the theme effortlessly through the stages of the story.

Overall, it was a great performance and everybody involved needs to be proud of the end product that has been produced. The senior ensemble of SAYArts have a strong future in the Arts community, and I look forward to seeing any of them on stage once more in the near future. Bunker has 4 more shows til the 25th February, and then SAYArts has their 3rd Fringe production: Mudbrick - Home of the BIG Shed, from the 27th February through to the 3rd March.