The Bunker Trilogy – Agamemnon: A Powerful Meditation On The Power Of Guilt – Adelaide Fringe Review

Adelaide Botanic Garden - Noel Lothian Hall, Sun 13 Feb Jethro Compton Productions’ The Bunker Trilogy: Agamemnon transports themes from Greek legend to the front lines of the First World War. As with the other plays in the series, Agamemnon places its audience in the claustrophobic environs of the 1918 bunker. It’s an intimate setting, to be sure. Once the smoke clears, the performance begins with a bang. The seriously injured Agamemnon, aided by his Scottish subordinate, drifts in and out of rum-soaked consciousness as he hysterically imagines what’s going on at home in the north of England. Delusion or accurate estimation? The play moves between the contemporary wartime action, reminiscences of new love, and panic-stricken notions of home-front developments. Jonathan Mathews is convincing as the intensely troubled Agamemnon, seemingly courting retribution for his unforgivable sin. Bebe Sanders just about steals the show as the increasingly resolute wife, with Sam Donnelly and Hayden Wood completing a brilliant cast. Jamie Wilkes’ writing is clear and insightful, the sound skilfully weaves music, everyday noises and wartime shellbursts to great effect, and the simple yet clever lighting arrangements are used to maximum effect. This is an extreme emotional experience; from falling in love to contemplating murder, from the hubris of joining-up to the near-certainty of one’s death, from the innocent to the criminal, the audience has plenty to contemplate. Agamemnon is well-worth seeing as a stand-alone piece, but Compton’s trilogy deserves to be seen in full. Book your tickets while you still can. David Robinson The Bunker Trilogy: Agamemnon continues at Adelaide Botanic Garden - Noel Lothian Hall, at various times, until Mon 14 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.