If one thing is for certain, as the world burns and the climate crisis continues to worsen, property developers will continue to build expensive homes they claim are affordable. In Ariella Como Stoian’s Hive it’s a new vertical village that provides the backdrop for this sci-fi inspired two-hander playing at Assembly Roxy.
Ria and child Salve have had to move far out of town, perhaps a result of Ria’s mother’s recent death, or maybe it’s to make way a mega corporation’s new building project. But construction is stalled because of the discovery of a potential new species of insect on the site. As Ria is called in to investigate with site manager Craig, Salve goes off to explore on their own.
This futuristic drama is ripe with conspiracy theories and gives us an unflinching view of a world that may yet come. Will Hayman’s lighting design effectively demonstrates this with hues of orange and red, mimicking the sky of a planet that is too hot and is only getting hotter. Sam Rothera’s hauntingly beautiful music creates an ominous tone throughout, pulsating with urgency and alarm.
Because Hive, beautifully directed by Susie MacDonald, keeps its audience on their toes in this almost psychological drama. Two intertwining stories unfold simultaneously; the explorations being undertaken by both Ria and Salve, but there’s also a third important strand which centres on the parent and child relationship.
There are three characters and only two actors, so Craig is voiced predominantly by Ria but sometimes also Salve, with all of the dialogue being delivered directly to the audience. It does become tricky at some points to understand when it’s Craig talking as opposed to either parent or child, and there would have been ways to work a third actor in to resolve this issue.
Elin Doyle and Emily Millwood bounce off each other well, and as the story reaches its climax, the real horrors of what’s unfolding become clear and Doyle and Millwood take the opportunity to take their respective monologues to the next level.
Hive tackles several important themes by wrapping a personal story of grief and loss up in a wider global event. Though the narrative becomes confusing at points, the lighting in particular makes this a visual feast to be enjoyed.
