A gripping play that deserves a bigger stage
Premiering this year on the Camden Fringe, Sunk Into The Earth is an original play written by Charlotte Ritter about murder, sisterly bonds and the lengths we go for those we love.
It opens out on five friends having a casual pizza and wine night. Their dynamics reveal themselves as you watch them chatting: a group of queer policewomen, Gwyn (Jillian Osbourne) is the loud, honest, token heterosexual; Julie (Caro Vinden) and Hypatia (Isabelle Dickey) are married, and expecting a baby; Lilith (Theo Ambrosini) is their fierce and charming housemate and Joan (Natalie Haven) is…Joan! The love and fondness they have for one another radiates from the intimate dialogue and the actors themselves.
The sudden arrival of Salame, portrayed by Ritter herself, throws the relaxed evening into chaos. Lilith is particularly outraged, and it’s revealed to the audience that Salame has just been released from prison, having served time for murdering her sister’s abusive husband. Salame is both unapologetic and withdrawn, a woman caught in a web of devastating trauma and murderous loyalty. As the play progresses, Salame begins to untangle this web with Lilith’s help, and, in a bittersweet end, finally free herself.
The tale unfolds through intimate conversations between the friends, and tense conversations between Salame and her sister Tallulah (Liz Kent). The dialogue is natural in a way that envelopes you in the group’s world, mimicking how real friends talk to each other. Ritter successfully marries light and dark as the play traverses difficult topics such as loss, abuse and codependence with surprising humour and sensitivity.
The action takes place across two different settings: the friends’ flat and a secluded spot in the park where the sisters meet. The use of the small stage was very effective: the delineation between garden, kitchen and living room was clear despite the minimal props and space. It was impressive how they completely transported the audience to the park setting by simply changing the lighting and adding birdsong. They made compelling use of the transitions between settings, as the actors sometimes intentionally overlapped between scenes, symbolic of the how the two settings and the moods that pervade them are inextricable and intertwined.
Whilst the script is loaded and intricate, it’s mostly easy to follow and punchy in the right places. However, there were a few places where the dialogue would benefit from tightening. Flaws in the writing were felt with Joan’s character, who didn’t have a subplot of her own, and didn’t propel the plot forward in any discernible way. Whilst Haven’s skilled acting made Joan feel lovable and real, she isn’t as fleshed out or defined as she should be.
Every single member of this cast brought an individual flair and raw feeling in their performance. Despite having less stage time than her fellow cast, Kent stood out with her powerfully delivered monologue in which she directly addresses the audience, inviting us to feel her grief and guilt with her. Charlotte Ritter’s portrayal of Salame was also really impactful, subtly conveying the emotions of someone trying to be strong whilst crumbling within. Honourable mention to Jillian Osbourne as the energy she brought to Gwyn was really unique and memorable.
Sunk Into The Earth is a gripping drama with twists aplenty, guaranteed to draw you in with its heartfelt writing and have you on the edge of your seats ‘til the very last second. It’s a play that could really go far with a few refinements and genuinely deserves a bigger audience. Four stars!