REVIEW: True West at Upstairs at the Gatehouse / Camden Fringe 8 August – 11 August 2023

‘A very skilled production, impressively polished and well performed’ ★★★★

Surrounded by the oppressive sandy weight of the desert, crickets and the eerie howl of coyotes in the distance, late nights, early mornings, and the fug of alcohol, Sam Shepard's trip into the domestic Wild West is mysterious, beguiling, and just a little haunting.

Director Janine Wunsche's skilful interpretation of True West stars James Knapp and Peter Lewis as the estranged brothers, Austin and Lee, who unexpectedly collide while Austin is house-sitting for their mother, in the middle of nowhere on the edge of Hollywood. Fledgling screenwriter Austin is portrayed with aplomb by Knapp, who brings the required gritty class to a character with a clear desire to escape or be better, different from his family, educated though not snobby, and perhaps fighting repressed frustration in the sticky heat. His antithetical brother, Lee, a boozy vagabond thief, is played with relish by Peter Lewis, who at times wears his character with such conviction that even minor mishaps come across as perfectly timed moments. Lee fizzes with his own sweat-soaked, subliminal, misplaced frustration, without any kind of eloquence to articulate it, and Lewis does a great job of illustrating this intricate depth of psyche. Indeed both actors do, and there is definitely the essential chemistry between them, as this play lives or dies by the spark between the brothers.

Though tonally moments may have missed the mark, uncertain of whether to veer into danger or comedy, and ending up not quite either (I'd love to have seen it pushed further), the real star of the show here is Janine Wunsche's masterful direction, delivering well-balanced energy, use of the full stage, and a strikingly detailed amount of nuance and realism. Testament also to the actors.

The fading and mythical Wild West that's never quite existed in the way movies tell us it did, seen in Austin's declaration, "The West doesn't exist anymore!", is given gravity with the help of a very effective set and a nicely immersive backdrop, moving effortlessly between the cool nights and hot days. Coupled with the hypnotic sound design and evocative lighting, we're quite easily transported to this soulful land, which effectively supports Shepard's vague sense of unfulfilled promise and simultaneous former glory, typical of that sad deception of the American dream, present in so many of the stateside greats.

In summary, this is a very skilled production, impressively polished and well performed, but not particularly imaginative. There's nothing much new being brought to this rendition. However, truth be told, it's a great value bit of a theatre: you're getting an accomplished piece of writing in a fantastic fringe venue, played with finesse and crafted with expertise. Ultimately, it delivers, and you'll leave with your skin prickling with the heat and the weight of the real true west.

True West by Sam Shepard

Directed by Janine Wunsche

Presented by Luder Theatre Company

Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 8 August – 11 August 2023

Cast

Peter Lewis - Lee 

James Knapp - Austin

Paul White - Saul 

Toni Brooks - Mom

Creatives

Janine Wunsche - Director

Noah Wright - Technical Director 

Foeke IJntemba - Stage Manager 

Box Office: https://camdenfringe.com/events/true-west/

Reviewed by Alix Owen