To be or not to be, that is the question...To die – to sleep, no more; and by a sleep to say we end the heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to…
This excerpt from the famous soliloquy of Hamlet inspires and figures prominently into playwright Lauren Gunderson’s Natural Shocks, Black Box Theatre’s current production.
“Natural Shocks” is one of two examples of Gunderson’s activism theatre, the other being The Taming. Activism theatre is defined as breaking the fourth wall and is “theatre being used to raise awareness on rights issues that not only educates the audience but creates empathy and connection.” Taking place during an oncoming tornado, this script is an excellent example of the genre in that the sole character, Angela, completely eliminates the proverbial 4th wall and directly addresses the audience as if we are sheltering with her in her basement.
I should mention that readings of this one act, one woman, play was made available by Gunderson without royalties to 107 theatres across the country on the same day in April of 2018 in order to raise money nationally for gun violence prevention and domestic abuse prevention.
Black Box has taken a unique approach in its production of this show. Per the program notes, director Roger Pavey, Jr. and Black Box co-owner Lora Adams decided to split portrayal of this role between four women. Assuming the role are Lora Adams, Patricia Foster, Kira Rangel, and Noel Jean Huntley; the four differ in age, ethnicity and more and each brings a unique perspective and interpretation and, more importantly, universality to the role as Angela reveals her past and the significance of the impending storm. Each of them delivers a gripping depiction of this complex character.
Pavey, a mere college junior, demonstrates maturity far beyond his age and his leadership results in 90 minutes of deeply compelling theatre. In addition, his method of switching out the actors while maintaining the flow of the action is accomplished seamlessly.
Equally impressive are the nuts and bolts of this show: the set and sound. Preceding the opening the audience hears a distant yet incessant barking of a dog and non-stop tweeting of birds which are often said to be a clarion call to impending natural disasters which sets us up for the coming maelstrom.
The set, a basement, is so well done from floor joists above to a water heater to a working utility sink that even has what appears to be a small puddle beneath totally immerses us into the action…EXCEPT the small window. That window is referred to within the dialogue as Angela observes the setting sun but the lighting behind the window made no change in colors associated with that nor was there a transition to evening that would follow sunset and there was nothing to indicate the outdoors on the other side like, perhaps, some vegetation that might be growing. Small details like this can diminish the overall effect of an otherwise excellent set.
That miniscule observation obviously doesn’t lessen the forcefulness of this show. This powerful production will either confirm your opinion on gun ownership or maybe, just maybe, alter it.
Natural Shocks continues at The Black Box Theatre, 1623 5 th Avenue in Moline Friday and Saturday, February 10th and 11th at 7:30pm.