ED FRINGE 2010: The Cage – Pleasance Dome

Writer: Dugald Bruce-Lockhart

Director: Richard Baron

Reviewer: Greig Ratcliff

The Public Reviews Rating:

If you are a fan of hard-hitting, direct content in modern theatre then this is a play you are sure to appreciate. The Cage tells the story of a man whose life falls apart as the woman he loves leaves him the day before his wedding, to start a relationship with his best man. I know what you are thinking: cliché. It’s all been done before. And in a way yes, you are right, we have all read this story, but we haven’t quite seen it delivered in this style.

Bruce-Lockhart opens the play by entering a house, quite candidly, and speaking directly to the audience. Making it clear that the house belongs not to him but to his ex-fiancée (Rawlins), he soon reveals a gun and his charming, endearing character traits are instantly turned sour, becoming bitter and uncomfortable. On Rawlins’ entry, he becomes increasingly manipulative and controlling to the point where a sinister charade is conducted under his fingertips between himself, Rawlins and the character of the best man (Sackville).

Two aspects of the production really held it together: the acting was brave and delivered like a smack in the face, full on and intense from each of the three main characters; and not the content of the writing, but more the time setting. The play didn’t offer a conclusive ending so much as a fly-on-the-wall glimpse into these people’s lives, which did provide a sense of reality. However, I did feel that some of the content, and while I will not say unnecessary, was perhaps distressing and maybe even distasteful at times. Of course, this did increase the shock factor of the writing and thus added to the tension of the scene, but if you do consider going to see this show be prepared for some very blunt and potentially offensive content.