If Baden-Powell had ever envisaged a world where anyone could access survival information and even a compass from a mobile phone, he may never have written Scouting For Boys or formed the movement which still exists today. But, the Scouting Association represents so much more than basic survival skills, and Tribe a new play by Brandon Force, Matthew McCray and Rowena Russell explores the nature of the organisation and the people within it.
It follows a group of Scouts and their two leaders on a training weekend. It’s 2012 and while the rest of the world awaits the Olympic Games, this group are only interested in winning the coveted Green Beret Challenge. But what begins as a jolly lark of Ging Gang Goolie soon takes a sinister turn as secrets are exposed and long held beliefs are challenged.
It does feel like there’s a few missed opportunities with the plot, while the first act ticks along nicely you are waiting for that big reveal which will be the plays defining moment. All indications are that it will be some kind of Lord of The Flies moment, only with woggles instead of spears. When that moment does come early in act two, it’s less dramatic but just as disturbing, and you are left questioning the pact mentality.
This is an intriguing character study exploring quite a few complex issues, layered on top of this are themes of inclusion, acceptance and colonialism, to name just a few. There’s a lot going on but the cast power through it with eagerness.
Shalana Serafina as Amira particualry stands out, as does Georgia Maskery as Julie and David Fenne as Colin. The whole cast work well together; there is a real sense of friendship, and a bond, between them. The staging works extremely well, clever use of everyday objects and lighting creates a strong feeling of the outdoors and the whole stage feels much bigger than it actually is.
Tribe is an ambitious undertaking which does a good job of delivering an intricate set of themes, and a well bonded cast keeps the audience engaged.
