The Crumple Zone, Stage Door Theatre Review
The Crumple Zone production image. Photo by Peter Davies
Written by Danai for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
The Crumple Zone is a play written by Buddy Thomas and directed by Helen Bang. Against a Christmas backdrop, it narrates moments from the lives of Terry (played by James Grimm) and Buck (played by James Mackay) as they watch their romantic lives and personal foundations gradually crumble. Buck is in a situationship with Alex (played by Jonny Davidson), who is, however, married to Sam (played by Sinead Donnelly). Sam, being on tour, leaves her husband for some time and he finds himself not only flirting but eventually being emotionally and romantically involved with Buck.
The play promises to unravel the daily and romantic problems of the characters while presenting their tragic experiences in a comedic way. While the intention is good and the audience seems to enjoy the humour of it, I believe the execution requires more work to become more refined and effective.
Buddy Thomas’s writing includes moments of laughter, but some exaggerations in the acting and directing detract from its authenticity. Although exaggeration can serve comedy, in certain scenes, the loud voices and over-the-top reactions don’t align with the events. Comedic moments, such as the Christmas tree scene and the entrance of Roger (played by Nicholas Gauci), stood out and were well-received by the audience. However, the overall impact of the play seemed limited, as it failed to create a deeper connection with viewers.
The play tackles an issue that could potentially feel relevant to many: the romantic dramas of people approaching their 30s, realizing that life doesn’t follow the expected stability. While the topic could be interesting, it is probably overrepresented by now, while the execution didn’t highlight it enough. Instead of presenting something bold or fresh, the play remained within predictable boundaries without offering anything that strongly reflects the times and current events.
In terms of acting, there was a lack of variation. Most performances were intense and exaggerated, without showcasing character development or transformation -the same as their storylines. The only exception was Alex, who managed to accept his feelings for Buck by the end. All other characters remained static. Even Sam, though more composed, showed no emotional development, even in critical moments.
Overall, The Crumple Zone failed to win me over. However, I recognize the effort, the enthusiasm with which it was created, and its ability to make the audience laugh. The use of Christmas as a background element, rather than a central theme, is an interesting choice, as it deconstructs the traditional romanticism of the holiday. Despite its weaknesses, the play has good potential, provided more attention is given to the details that could make it stand out more.
At Stage Door Theatre until 4 January 2025
★★.5
