Play 'Under' no-fuss theatre but complex as a neutron bomb

Under Written by Catherine Tse Directed by James Cain Reviewed by Aaron Potaka

Up and coming Wellington playwright Cassandra Tse adds Under (2017) to her portfolio, and is the one to watch for as she builds a promising career in theatre.

A monologue on grief, love and memory, Under is a revolving door of emotions. Chris Green, last seen in Whanganui with Coaltown Blues, is on a busman's holiday for the short run at Wanganui Repertory playing The Man, the unnamed low-key bloke-next-door trying to comprehend the unexplained disappearance of his wife, May.

Has May abandoned him? Has she suffered a terrible accident and lies undiscovered? Anything is plausible, but this unknowing builds up the tension of The Man's dilemma.

The Man attempts to frame the mysterious vanishing via a range of interpretations from his past, yet remains in limbo by the unresolved present. The audience gets to know of May through this reminiscing, and understand how much she means to him.

Under is a very intimate yet intimidating play, with minimal set and lighting. Intimate as the play is set within The Man's space that for its cosiness and comfy chair, is his lounge, and intimidating in that the audience is uncomfortable witness to heartbreak and despair over a life of loving abruptly stalled.

Ms Tse has deftly written with a male gaze, which Mr Green quietly implements. A romantic ideal underlies The Man's love for May that men in the audience can respond to; they too know a woman that has passed through their life with great effect, only to move on and out, leaving a sense of wonder, and what-ifs.

Under is no-fuss theatre but as complex as a neutron bomb set to explode. The Man has composure and poise on the outside, but his inner-self is veering towards fried and frazzled.

Upcoming performances are on Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3, from 7.30pm. Ticket sales at Wanganui Royal Opera House.