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Tom, played by Neil Clarke and Lucy, played by Rebecca Sharp The Unwanted Malvern Theatres **** The Unwanted is a new play based in Malvern, written and directed by Sarah Hutton. Shortlisted by the Malvern Theatres Three Counties writing competition and part of the Ink and Curtain festival, it explores whether the decisions we make are the right ones. It’s always exciting to experience a new play and this was no exception and left the audience guessing throughout. We meet Lucy, played by Rebecca Sharp, and Tom, played by Neil Clarke, who are looking forward to their first night in their new home in Barnards Green, Malvern. As they are unpacking and trying to get settled in there is a knock on the door. A strange young man, played by Ben Farquharson, enters as if he was expected. Lucy and Tom are both convinced that the other has invited him. The man has another worldly presence throughout. He has snow on his head and carries leaves and moss. Eerie sound effects and flashing lights signal that all is not as it should be. Lucy and Tom both decide to confront him and admit that they don’t know who he is. But he firmly insists that they do. As the evening draws on the situation becomes more and more unsettling. The visitor starts to repeat words that they have said. He tells them he can make things clear for them and goes upstairs to start unpacking boxes. He brings down the first box he sees which Lucy remembers putting up in the attic. It was the box she was going to get rid of.... but changed her mind and brought it back to return it to the attic. The first item he takes out of it is a toy rabbit. The visitor then insists he cooks them a meal, whilst singing songs about rabbits throughout.
Ben Farquharson as the mysterious Man After a rather uncomfortable meal of, yes, you’ve guessed it, rabbit, which he claims he has caught and slaughtered himself, the visitor relentlessly continues looking in the box and insists they play a game. He finds a Ouija board and insists they use it. We later discover that Lucy has bought and used the Ouija board. During the evening, the visitor re- enacts scenes between them, such as the time when Lucy told Tom she was pregnant. It is later revealed that both Lucy and Tom admitted at the time to not wanting the baby. A seance is held in which questions are asked, and the glass eventually smashes. The visitor becomes disturbed, asks why they didn’t want him and collapses. The events of the evening grow more and more sinister, as Lucy reveals the disturbing events leading to the loss of the baby (including her conviction that her not wanting the baby caused its death) and the audience are left to draw their own conclusions. This is a powerful and disturbing play which tackles head on painful issues that could occur in any relationship. Tom and Lucy are portrayed with appropriate sensitivity by Neil Clarke and Rebecca Sharp, with a powerful performance from Ben Farquharson as the disturbed young man. Jane Lush 18-07-25 |
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