Performance and Precision: A Masterclass in Immersive Theatrical Storytelling
The anticipatory atmosphere at Unity Theatre, Liverpool was palpable, heightened by an unusual pre-show ritual. Upon entering, each audience member was handed a slip of paper, a stark invitation to confront mortality by documenting their imagined final moments before a world-ending catastrophe. This seemingly simple act proved to be a masterstroke, a subtle yet profound prelude that would resonate throughout the evening’s theatrical experience, embedding the audience deeply within the play’s unsettling narrative.
The Intrusion, a potent collaboration between Bric à Brac Theatre and Told by an Idiot, emerges as a darkly comedic and deeply unsettling piece of theatre. It fearlessly grapples with the weighty themes of survival, the corrupting influence of power, and the hauntingly cyclical nature of human behavior, all set against a backdrop of a world teetering precariously on the edge of collapse. The production masterfully blurs the lines between absurdity and poignancy, leaving an indelible mark on the viewer’s psyche.
One of the play’s most compelling and challenging features is that it refuses to provide easy, digestible answers, instead opting for a fragmented, almost dreamlike structure that compels the audience to actively engage with the unfolding drama. This deliberate ambiguity, while potentially disorienting for some, ultimately serves to amplify the play’s thematic richness. There is a gradual, almost puzzle-like unveiling of the story, where pieces slowly come together, so as to reward the patient and attentive audience with a profoundly layered understanding of the meticulously constructed dystopian world brought to life on stage.
The performances are uniformly exceptional, a testament to the actors’ skill and dedication. Siobhan Cha Cha delivers a truly commanding portrayal of Cecille, the charismatic yet undeniably tyrannical cockroach leader. She captures the character’s complex inner world, revealing a fascinating blend of unwavering authority and underlying vulnerability. Kitty Devlin and Alex Hinson demonstrate remarkable versatility, seamlessly transitioning between a multitude of diverse roles, each adding vital depth and texture to the play’s intricate narrative tapestry. Hinson, in particular, showcases an impressive vocal range and an emotionally resonant delivery, especially during the play’s haunting musical interludes, which serve as poignant emotional anchors.
The set and costume design are integral to the play’s immersive and unsettling atmosphere. The “construction-site wasteland” set, meticulously assembled from repurposed and discarded materials, effectively conveys a palpable sense of a world in a state of chaotic flux, a society desperately attempting to rebuild itself from the ruins of its former existence, or perhaps even a world in waiting for reclamation. The costumes, with their exaggerated military details and satirical flourishes, add a layer of biting caricature to the characters, poignantly highlighting the inherent absurdity of their power structures and the fragility of their control. The creative and evocative use of
lighting and sound further enhances the play’s already potent atmosphere, creating a palpable sense of tension, unease, and impending dread. The actors move within a world where the spirits of Orwell and Kafka whisper, their voices shaping the play’s unsettling narrative.
The incorporation of news clips featuring figures like King Charles, David Attenborough, and, most notably, Donald Trump, proves to be remarkably prescient, grounding the play’s absurdist world in a chillingly familiar reality. The strategic use of live POV cameras, “archival” video clips, and a multi-purpose digital display, combined with thoughtful captioning and sign language interpretation, demonstrates a commendable commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that the production resonates with a wider audience. This forward-thinking approach to theatre is both refreshing and crucially important to the audience experience.
The play fearlessly explores the pressing issues of climate crisis, the inherent dangers of unchecked power struggles, and the haunting potential for humanity to repeat its past mistakes. It employs dark humor and biting satire to critique contemporary societal ills, such as climate inaction and the dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a select few. The play masterfully highlights the stark and unsettling parallels drawn between its dystopian world and our own, underscoring the urgency of its message and the need for immediate action. The play’s concluding act, where the audience’s pre-show responses are revealed, prompts a profound and deeply personal reflection on individual responsibility and the urgent necessity for collective action, leaving a lasting and thought-provoking impression.
The Intrusion is a bold, challenging, and ultimately profoundly rewarding theatrical experience. It confronts uncomfortable truths about our world with intelligence, creativity, and a darkly humorous edge. Liverpool’s Unity Theatre, in its commitment to presenting such vital and thought-provoking work, continues to serve as a crucial platform for contemporary theatre that speaks directly to the anxieties and challenges of our time.
An example of utterly vital theatre.
*****
To find out more about the production of The Intrusion read our In Conversation piece with the team.
