Review: The Gas Station at the End of the Universe, Venue 13

It’s in the closing scenes of The Gas Station at the End of the Universe that I realise I am crying. It’s a reaction that shocks me, that I cannot fully explain. But somewhere deep within this charming little show I find myself hit by an intense sadness as the story finally reveals itself. Even afterwards as I stand outside talking to one of the cast, I again feel tears welling up in my eyes. And that is the beauty of theatre: that something can take you so unexpectedly and so intensely.

Sawyer (Leahvel Lezada) and Casey (Belle Ness-Thomas) are childhood friends, so when Sawyer returns home to visit it goes without saying that the pair will meet up. It’s then that they decide to walk through the woods to the gas station to grab something to eat, and from here it all becomes rather weird: strange woodland creatures come and go, and the two friends are often separated. Along the way they witness different beings, hear different voices, and are told of their evil. It’s clear that all is not as it seems. 

Gas Station is a deceiving play. For so much of it, the meaning is unclear, and although small hints are scattered for us to follow, countless theories flood through my head as to where it is going. That is until the moment where I am left in tears, when the truth is revealed and my heart breaks at the infinite sadness of where it was all leading us. And yet that sadness is fleeting, the beauty of what follows bringing joy through the darkness.

The thing that perhaps holds this play back from perfection is certain aspects of its staging. The venue feels slightly wrong: it is too big and too bright for what is such an intimate performance. This needs a tighter space, the darkness of a black box theatre to support the sinister monsters that lurk and torment the two friends. However, they do use the extra space to great effect. Video projection across the rear wall and a full soundscape cleverly transports us into the woods for the journey.

The cast are more than a match for the beautiful writing. Lezada has the weariness of someone with a weight on her shoulders, while the strange creatures they meet along the way all leave a feeling of wonder. Nicholas Lee and Anthony Collucci both seem more limbs than body as they scamper around, while Francis Rivera has a sprite-like grace as she weaves through the trees. Molly McNulty‘s Goldfish Man has an air of equal mystery, and it is they who join Ness-Thomas for the final reveal, the two perfectly breaking my heart. It is Ness-Thomas’ childlike innocence and playfulness that stands out above all else.

This is quite simply a beautiful piece of writing, brought to vivid life by a wonderful Canadian team. I simply cannot put its emotional impact into words: all I know is that it has left a mark on me that I will hold in my heart for a very long time.

Written and directed by Trinity Tacknyk
Sound design and stage manager: Zach Giardine
Assistant Stage Manager: Samantha Derbyshire
Lighting Design by Jade Showers
Projection & Prop Design by Sophie Cheung
Co-Prop Design by Jenny Yang
Costume Design by Rachel Vaan Staalduin
Set Design by Vic Lusby
Produced by Wyrmwood Theatre

The Gas Station at the End of the Universe plays at Venue 13 until Saturday 29 August as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.