Adelaide Fringe. Presented by Jethro Compton in association with The Centre for International Theatre and Joanne Hartstone Ltd. The Bunker. 20 Feb 2014
Directed and designed by Jetho Compton (who starred in the sensational play ‘The Boy James’ at the Fringe several years ago), ‘Morgana’ is a re-imagination of the Arthurian legend. It is one of the plays of the Bunker Trilogy. It is gritty, powerful and compelling theatre. It draws you in and holds you spellbound.
The setting is a trench bunker on the Western Front in World War I. It is purpose built, and unlike other Fringe venues, it can only be used for this production (as well as the other two plays of the trilogy). It comprises a small timber framed room with hessian walls and ceiling and a dirt floor. It smells claustrophobic, which adds to the experience. You are so close to the actors that you could reach out and touch them; see the pulsing of the veins in their necks. You can see every muscular twitch. You inhabit their world – the world of British soldiers on the reserve lines – and you very quickly become deeply disturbed by the way they are forced to live and try and survive the best way they can.
Written by Jamie Wilkes, ‘Morgana’ is about three young soldiers who, in their childhood, fashioned themselves after Arthur and the Knights of the Round table. They are Arthur (played by Hayden Wood), Lancelot (Sam Donnelly) and Gawain (James Marlowe), and we are witness to their efforts to survive the insanity of a brutal war. They have contact with local villagers and are understandably distracted by the women, either real or imagined. Gawain takes refuge with Morgana, whom may not be real – we are never really sure. Gawain and Arthur are continually prompted to remember Gwen (think Guinevere), who is Arthur’s sweetheart back home, but who is also secretly admired by Lancelot. The roles of the women are all played by Bebe Sanders. The plot line is clever and the Arthurian legend is used to great effect. The acting is superb, and a fight scene between Lancelot and Gawain is visceral and oh so realistic.
The lighting is slick and evocative, the costuming faultless, and Jonny Sims’ well crafted soundscape rounds out the experience.
This company knows its craft. It’s an object lesson in theatre.
Kym Clayton
When: 20 Feb to 16 Mar
Where: The Bunker
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
