ED2015 2/5 Reviews ED2015 Theatre Reviews

Dead Man’s Cell Phone (UCLU Runaground)

By Jon Stapley | Published on Saturday 22 August 2015

Plenty of (digital) ink has been spilt over the question of whether modern technology isolates or unites us. Certainly it’s easier to communicate with a phone in your hand, but are you ever really listening to the people in front of you? Sarah Ruhl’s play explores this question in an irreverent, absurdist, roundabout way, following the exploits of a woman named Jean, whose life takes several interesting turns after she answers the phone of a man in a cafe who turns out to be dead. UCLU Runaground’s production is nicely staged, with good musical accompaniment and some fine actors, but it’s not as funny as it wants to be and consequently strikes an inconsistent tone.

Underbelly Cowgate, until 23 Aug.
tw rating 2/5 | [Jon Stapley]