"The Box" takes a raw look at a couple, Tom (Martin Edwards) and Kate (Sarah Lawrie). We find them in their sparsely furnished home, dominated by a large, red-wrapped box. Is it theirs, or a mistaken delivery? This question hangs in the air, mirroring the unspoken tensions between Tom and Kate.
Through fragmented conversations and role-playing, a devastating shared trauma emerges. However, the path to this revelation is paved with awkward silence and unconvincing dialogue. Director Jonathan Woolf creates an atmosphere with little humour, where the conversations feel more like a script than genuine emotional exchanges.
Despite good performances by both Edwards and Lawrie, the characters themselves remain underdeveloped. The play offers glimpses into their past lives, but these glimpses don't provide enough context to fully understand their present predicament. We learn they've endured a tragedy, but the details are frustratingly vague. This lack of depth makes it difficult to truly connect with their pain.
The most perplexing element, however, is the titular box itself. As the central object, it becomes a potent symbol brimming with potential meaning. Tragically, the play fails to capitalize on this potential. The box remains an unexplained enigma, leaving the audience wondering about its significance.
"The Box" offers a glimpse into a couple grappling with grief, but the journey lacks emotional depth and narrative clarity. While the play delves into uncomfortable territory, it doesn't quite manage to transform that discomfort into a truly powerful theatrical experience.
It runs until 3 August.
Photo: Alex Walton