Big Cranberry - by Joe Edgar, presented by Sosij Productions, Jack Studio Theatre, 18 to 29 November, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: Indigo Cleverley.

Big Cranberry - by Joe Edgar, presented by Sosij Productions, Jack Studio Theatre, 18 to 29 November,

4☆☆☆☆. Review: Indigo Cleverley. 

“…fascinating character dynamics.”

As a Friday evening draws to a close in a Boston newsroom, journalist Marianne is editing and developing her article on the Massachusetts cranberry industry. Exploring the underlying secrets of the industry, conflicting opinions and impacts, another story arises about Marianne’s experience whilst investigating the bogs.

Beginning in the rather dull setting of a newsroom, we are introduced to the characters: Marianne (Molly Hanly), headstrong, focused and highly strung, the boss Gloria (Juliet Welch), precise and decisive, her secretary Jennifer (Sydney Crocker), sharp but docile and Karl (Xavier Starr) high high-spirited and playful. Together, they bounce off each other, launching us into the performance with fast-paced dialogue and witty remarks; we are transported to their setting within seconds.

With intermittent flashbacks to Marianne’s explorations on the bog, her article comes to life as we witness her interviews live and the backgrounds and settings which accommodate them. This nonlinear format is a clever way of engaging us in the multi-personal impacts and stories, allowing us to connect with Marianne and her persona, which she doesn’t present in her work environment.

The changes in setting were helped by the innovative set design, with the office desks being moved around swiftly to become a car, a platform and a bed, to name a few examples. Sudden shifts in lighting (designed by Gabriel Finn) also aid the scene changes and amplify the atmospheric conditions of the scenes, as well as more physical factors such as time of day and location. Overall, these design elements are a brilliant foundation for the story to evolve and for the characters and their backgrounds to be exhibited.

Commenting on prominent contemporary issues, the cunningly crafted script is detailed, complex and layered to explore environmental issues in a sophisticated, ingenious manner. Comments on the climate change crisis are not piled onto the ever-growing list of burdens and worries but explored sensitively through the emotional impact on Marianne - an environmental journalist- whose anxiety and dread are palpable; the build-up of emotion throughout is thoughtfully developed.

With captivating storytelling and intricate characters, Big Cranberry is a distinct new play discussing increasingly prevalent topics and concerns with atmospheric design choices and fascinating character dynamics - a memorable, insightful evening.

Cast

Molly Hanly - Marianne

Juliet Welch - Gloria/Francine

Xavier Starr - Karl/Jeremy

Sydney Crocker - Jennifer/Bailey

Creatives

Joe Edgar - Writer/Director

Gabriel Finn - Lighting Design

Presented by Sosij Productions