sunland

Photo: Madeline Whitby (@mwhitbytheatre)

Madeline Whitby's 'Sunland' is an incredibly sensitive, realistic and engaging piece that deals with a possible 'end-of-the-world' scenario that day by day is becoming a more possible reality for all of us. There is no doomerism in a piece that could easily descend into an unproductive, blame-passing and hate-filled hour which is really refreshing and optimistic to watch in our industry.

What made this production so engaging for me was watching four characters that I could recognise in my own life experience what most of society think of as a far-away problem. For me, this brought the consequences of not caring about the environment much closer to home. I was not being told that I'm not doing enough, or that I'm causing the problem, I was just being gently encouraged to consider how I relate to this issue and how I might feel in the situation. The constant defiant reminder of those who were escaping the earth in juxtoposition to those who were left to deal with the effects of a problem they did not cause did not elicit sympathy for the characters that might be forgotten after leaving the theatre but instead reminded us of the anger we should feel that gives us the motivation to make change.

I was particularly impressed with the bold decision to explore the question of pregnancy in a climate crisis. After the controversy of the abortion scene in 'The Years' a few months ago, the portrayal of Fran's 'coat-hanger' abortion in 'Sunland' was a very brave performance by Gigi Downey and Isaiah James-Mitchell. The very visceral story-line was particularly close to my heart as someone who cites the climate crisis as one reason for my choice not to have children. My first reaction was to urge Fran not to take on the personal risk of this procedure, but the depth of feeling and conviction that Downey portrayed to not bring another human into a world of suffering was really powerful. I felt that Fran's strength and the brave but horrific choices and actions Bo took showed a possibility of kindness in this situation that isn't often shown in humans, and was oddly inspiring and optimistic.

The strength of all the characters in the face of their unjust end was exemplified by the sound and light design of this production. A pulsing red light between scenes reminded us of the looming disaster all the characters are facing, with the ethereal voice of a young woman whose death haunts Charlie also haunting the audience. The tension of the design elements of this production elicit the same feelings that cause the moments of desperation that Lily Walker and Rebecca Goddard portray so powerfully.

I feel really glad to have seen this production at a time in history when it is easy to be lost to pessimism and doomerism. I was presented with a possible end to the world as I know it, showing me the reality if we continue to destroy our planet, but given the emotional tools to see how we could fight for better for ourselves. It was incredibly refreshing to leave a theatre feeling optimistic about the human spirit in the face of a collapsing world.