By Harriet Webster
The Community, written by Gael van den Bossche, is a dark comedy about a society living in a totalitarian state whose sole purpose is to survive, and is on at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre until Saturday 5th August. It’s a short play, lasting just over an hour, but boy, has Gael van de Bossche packed in the humour!
Post-nuclear war (or maybe it was something else) made the world an irradiated wasteland, forcing the human race to reside underground until safe to venture to the surface once more. From guarding a computer, to cleaning toilets; everyone has a role in preserving the human race.
The plot’s subtleties are well thought out with true humour. Forced parenthood, mandatory euthanasia, and even banned birthday cakes (how treacherous!) are part and parcel of society for The Community, as they help to shepherd the human race back to the surface, when safe and ready to do so. Freedom of thought was evidently not banned when Gael Van de Bossche wrote this hilarious comedy!
Josh Hinds’ interpretation as Director encapsulates the mood brilliantly with a great choice of cast. The lighting is clever – making you feel like you’re not always watching on the small intimate stage in front of you, and the minimalistic costumes work wonders.
The star of the show belongs to William Sebag-Montefiore. His talent shows no bounds with hilarious depictions of various characters – all intricately distinguished, though a particular favourite being Gerry.
The Community will lighten any mood, and is well worth the visit. From one liners, to jokes you need to think about, I implore you to get down to the Lion and Unicorn to catch this belly-laugh comedy before it’s too late.
