It’s an incredibly dexterous performance from Jack Stokes, swapping accents
and temperament at will.
Someone’s died. Three identical brothers (all played by Jack Stokes) are being interrogated, and they all refuse to look at a photo of the crime scene. This is Not America is the latest adrenaline-fueled thriller from acclaimed playwright Philip Stokes. A rapid-fire succession of scenes lurches from one brother’s interrogation to the next, colliding to produce an intimately compelling portrait of evil.
It’s an incredibly dexterous performance from Jack Stokes, swapping accents and temperament at will. The brothers’ mannerisms and emotional reactions may differ, but they all have an unsettling charisma, evocative of a firebrand preacher. Cassius is compelling, with delusions of grandeur, activating and deactivating his charm at will. Rocco is much angrier, much less in control: demanding a cup of coffee under threat of crucifixion. Salvatore has an anxious energy, squirming under questioning – but there’s a pent-up fury seething behind his answers. A cleverly written script and excellent performance from Stokes make it clear who is addressing their interrogators at any given moment.
Transitions between characters are marked by a gasping choke, creepily wrenching the audience out of one scene and into another. This adds to the feel of Appalachian horror, established both by the brothers’ intonation and by the set design. Performed in a literal bunker, sound echoes around the solid stone walls. A shadowy American flag hangs in the background. Wicker men enclose Stokes throughout his performance. On a single plinth lies the photo the brothers refuse to look at.
It’s clear that each brother is angry at the world, making for convincing villains, particularly when tricked into revealing something they shouldn’t by their interrogator. When the story becomes clear, a disturbingly convincing portrait of modern evil has been unfurled.
The late addition of a fourth suspect – Paulie – is a little disorienting. With the brothers, he shares an obsession with Rosemary’s baby, forcing the audience to question whether they’ve attributed previous testimonies correctly. This makes for several minutes in which the audience is distracted by second-guessing the story rather than following it – confusing rather than compelling. Once Pauli appears, the strength of Stokes’ performance resolves the confusion immediately.
There’s something very reminiscent of the critically acclaimed Kenrex in This is Not America. Both offer claustrophobic, intimate portraits of evil; both are powerfully written; and both pivot around standout solo performances. If you’re looking for something a bit dark, a bit disturbing, and very compelling, you’ve found it.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/this-is-not-america-a-razor-edge-new-play-to-start-your-day
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Bunker Two, Pleasance Courtyard
Dates: Aug 5th–31st
Time: 11:05 (60 mins)
Ticket prices: From £13
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 16+