It is often the case that modern political theatre stumbles into known pitfalls, including alienating its audience and finding itself rooted in bias and cliche. Jack MacGregor and Dogstar Theatre effectively, and impressively elegantly, avoid these pitfalls in Nightlands, running at Summerhall from the 8th to the 14th of August at 8:45pm.
Jack MacGregor immerses the audience in the ex-Soviet town of Pyramiden during the beginning of the Putin autocracy, following two characters condemned to each other’s company and polarising political beliefs.
MacGregor’s script is interrogative and urgent, asking challenging and, at times, daunting questions. However, this does not come as a substitute for an engaging and entertaining story and complex, intriguing characters.
As well as this, the questions that the script asks are also answered in different ways by both characters, and not trying to convince the audience of anything, but instead to make them think about everything discussed. MacGregor’s writing, as well as his sharp eye for direction, creates an intense, slow-burning atmosphere that sets the audience at the edges of their seats within the first quarter.
Matthew Zajac’s portrayal of Sasha is stoic and quiet, but slowly comes apart to reveal a ferocious meltdown of a tortured man. His quiet tender moments are just as impactful as his moments of passionate aggression.
Rebecca Wilkie gives a fantastic performance as Slava, a young woman hopeful for a better future. Wilkie’s building inner-conflict is palpable and a real catalyst for the show’s intensity. Wilkie & Zajac’s energies complement each other beautifully as the two come together and apart.
Compliments must also be offered to the production team of Nightlands, creating an eerie atmosphere in so many ways. Brian McAlpine’s score is a very effective furnishing to an already electric plot. Grant Anderson’s lighting design is also a highlight, minimalistic but truly immersive.
Nightlands is an engaging piece of new writing from an incredibly exciting emerging artist. Backed by a brilliant cast and a world-building team, this is a refreshing slice of political theatre that is for anyone that is a fan of a good story.
