A thoughtful exploration of teenage life, technology and human connection, set some 75 years in the future but ever relevant to the present, delivered with energy by its young creators.Rating
Good!
Company Three is a theatre company driven by the ideas of its members, some 75 of them, all aged 11–19. Based in Islington, North London, they give teenagers the power to tell their own stories and create their own change. In other words: to be listened to, understood and celebrated. Their latest show is Unfinished Business, showing at the New Diorama.
The starting point is the year 2100, with two teenagers communicating from separate locations. Life has evolved to the point where they no longer need physical phones, but they don’t go out either: outside is scary, with poisonous air quality and other unseen threats. Everything happens virtually.
However, a competition is running, with a top prize of £3 million. Naturally, £3 million is not quite the life-changing amount it would be today, but it is enough to entice a couple of teenagers to reconsider their concerns and hatch a plan. Perhaps unsurprisingly, another couple are similarly eager. The two couples bump into each other in the wilds, all donned in head-to-foot protective clothing. Their quest is to find disregarded objects from the past, which will be tricky given the “Removal of Unnecessary Objects Act” introduced some 25 years earlier.
They fairly quickly stumble upon a disused library. The protective covering is removed to reveal a tower of physical books, much to their delight. From there, the theatrical premise takes the form of acting out stories they choose to read, each exploring relatable teenage issues: the nervousness of starting a new school, family and friendship conflicts, and so on. Inclusivity is very much encouraged, while choices about the direction of the plot are often handed over to the audience.
It is a thoughtful premise. The world of the future leans into the reality of compromised air quality and isolation, with a need to use only the most essential physical objects. Yet the delight and impact of a story, read from a physical handheld copy, is timeless. Allegories abound, and the discussions that result encourage a greater shared understanding between different demographics and across the centuries.
As mentioned above, this is a show very much designed and led by the young creatives themselves, and I understand the need to include as many of those voices as possible. This does mean it is a long show, though, and at times it feels a little repetitive. I think a couple of the scenes could be cut or shortened. That said, all the acting is strong, and the delight among the group at being part of this story is clear to see. The book props are well used, and some comic moments from the acting team are genuinely funny. The interactions with the audience also work well, offering some jeopardy as a choice made by a random viewer can change the direction of the plot.
Unfinished Business is an ambitious, thoughtful and engaging production that puts young voices firmly centre stage, while reminding us that some things, like the power of a good story, remain timeless.
Created & Performed by Anthony, Ashley, Brianna, Emily, Emanuella, Jessie, Mazen, Mylo, Sara and Shayma
Co-created by Mariana Aristizábal Pardo and Company Three
Writer & Director: Mariana Aristizábal Pardo
Set & Costume Designer: Male Arcucci
Sound Designer: Xana Lighting
Designer: Josephine Tremelling
Assistant Director & Assistant Dramaturg: Alphonso Brown
Dramaturg: Dr Jessi Clayton
Producer: Angie Peña-Arenas
Production Manager: Matt Neubauer
Stage Manager: Mercy Ola
Assistant Stage Manager: Dynzell Muguti
Production Assistant: Kezia Adewale
Production Assistant Placement: Jane Chong
Set & Costume Assistant: Shayma
Loop Artists: Mazen, Emily, Ella and Ashley
Guitarists: Mylo and Anthony
Unfinished Business plays at the New Diorama until Saturday 29 August
