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A gripping but funny production that inventively grapples with universal fears of mortality.
Summary
Rating
Excellent
Five friends – and an unwelcome sixth guest, Death – meet to “pre-game” before their twentieth high school reunion. Reminiscing on days gone by, ferocious arguments lead to disturbing discoveries, in this gripping two-hour play.
The friends call themselves MERGE, the Multi-Ethnic Reject Group. Amongst its members is Emilio (Anthony Welsh), who is confrontational and defensive throughout. He clearly has unspoken feelings for Caitlin (Yolanda Kettle), who married a man almost twice her age, who may or may not have stormed the Capitol. Their close friend Ursula (Tamara Lawrance) is the host of the “pregame” and has limited vision. She keeps the reunion outside on the porch in case people move things around her house. The three catch up as they await their friend and Emilio’s ex-girlfriend Kristina (Katie Leung), a doctor and mother to five. When she arrives, she unexpectedly brings her cousin, veteran Paco (Ferdinand Kingsley). As they refamiliarise themselves with each other, the dialogue snaps from jokes to insults, maintaining high energy and a fast pace.
Premiering in the States and transferring to The Almeida, The Comeuppance references American culture, most notably proms and porches, but more sinister topics like school shootings and ‘Roe V Wade’ are analysed, giving honest perspectives to Londoners.
Death is everywhere. You hear about it in the candid discussion of 9/11 and Columbine, and see it in physical comedy; to stop somebody from speaking, the characters pretend to kill each other, mimicking twisting and snapping necks. More subtle elements include a flickering electric zapper that intermittently electrocutes insects. Additionally, the play’s setting itself serves as a reminder of death: Ursula’s late grandmother’s house.
Death appears in the different characters, taking over their bodies and explaining the unique relationship with each individual. He acts as an omniscient narrator, divulging secrets from their past lives through asides. With these revelations, the audience knows the five friends better than they know each other. As the play unfolds, more shocking information is slowly revealed, which builds a deep comprehension of the characters’ intricacies.
Whenever Death appears the scene freezes and a spotlight shines on the character whom he has encompassed – Natasha Chivers’ lighting design ensuring that Death is the focal point. Death addresses the audience directly and the actors speak in their natural accents but with an echo effect, designed by Emma Laxton. With smoke rising from the hot lights, there is an additional layer of eeriness.
Set design by Arnulfo Maldonado is impressive. The porch dominates, with the majority of the action taking place there. Yet, you can glimpse inside the house where the characters retreat for various reasons: Caitlyn to calm down from hysterically crying, Emilio to charge his phone which he constantly unplugs, and Ursula to replenish the snacks and “jungle juice” for her guests.
Throughout the night of nostalgia, the characters experience a variety of emotions, exploring the universal fear of not achieving their potential. Occasionally, conversations start but are not concluded due to interruptions, leaving a sense of unfinished business. Certain outbursts from characters, such as Paco, are introduced too soon and feel incongruous. Yet, the cast is exceptionally talented and you could believe they’ve known each other for twenty years. The comedic timing from Kettle and Leung is superb and Welsh plays confrontation with remarkable skill.
You can recognise elements of yourself and your friends in this friendship group, the good and the bad. Like Death, we are watching life unfold but waiting for something catastrophic to happen. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has written a thought-provoking show which successfully taps into universal fears, yet somehow reassures us at the same time.
Written by: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by: Eric Ting
Set and costume designed by: Arnulfo Maldonado
Lighting designed by: Natasha Chivers
Sound designed by: Emma Laxton
The Comeuppance plays at The Almeida Theatre until 18 May.
Further information and bookings can be found here.
