The world has been declared ‘too far gone’. But not to worry. Five humans are safe below ground, planning for the time when their ancestors emerge into a new world, 350 years from now.
Set in the single room of a family fallout shelter, this post-apocalyptic black comedy sits outside the box. A wealthy couple, their son and daughter-in-law are joined by the shelter’s engineer. These larger than life personalities fill the sparse, striking set and keep the audience captivated and laughing, though often uncomfortably.
Delectable Shelter touches on some meaty issues like privilege, power, social influence and the irrelevant things we hold dear in this modern world without getting bogged down in debate. It’s irreverent and at times confronting, but always amusing.
In his notes, writer and director Benedict Hardie admits it is ‘an incredibly silly bit of business’.
‘I wanted to write a play about the significance of hopes, fears, prejudices, and doubts. I realised I could give paramount significance to unspoken attitudes through the simple process of killing all human beings and leaving only a few survivors,’ he writes.
It does give us food for thought, but not at the expense of humour. The action is at times bawdy and farcical, at others reminiscent of the deliberately awkward still scenes of Samuel Beckett. The five talented actors play multiple parts with great skill, and also perform fantastic choral interludes like nothing you’ve heard before.
Throughout the play, witty banter is interspersed with effective physical comedy so there is never a dull moment. It has been touring in 2013, and still has a few shows to go in other cities.
Delectable Shelter won’t change the world, but it will brighten up your night.
Rating: 3 ½ out of 5 stars
Delectable Shelter
Written and Directed by Benedict Hardie
Set Designer: Claude Marcos
Costume Designer: Esther Marie Hayes
Lighting Designer: Lucy Birkinshaw
Composer: Benny Davis
Musical Director: Nathan Gilkes
Sound Design: Alister Mew
Produced by The Hayloft Project and Critical Stages
Cast: Andrew Broadbent, Brendan Hawke, Jolyon James, Simone Page Jones and Yesse Spence
Visy Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse
6–10 August
