Tunnels @ Park Theatre Review

The concept of freedom is a deep one, one that immediately evokes an emotional response no matter who you talk to. The tale of the ‘escape story’ one that throughout the generations has disclosed the soul destroying impacts of imprisonment against one’s own will, placing personal freedom at the fore. An exploration of the threat of personal freedom, Oliver Yellop’s production Tunnels ties the world of post WWII Germany to our present.

Courtesy of Mark Douet.

Both barricaded behind the Berlin Wall post WWII in 60s, cousins Paul (Lewis Bruniges) and Freddie Metz (Oliver Yellop) dream of a life beyond the wall. A now claustrophobic reality, this fires up the pair’s need to fight back against the oppressive regime of the time. Through Paul and Freddie, we’re made privy to the hostile environment their brought up in, their tale of survival one accompanied with a grit and determination that endears, the pair’s contemporary energy one that makes it feel as if these two are still here living and breathing. Yellop’s compact, socially and politically aware script one that meticulously highlights the gravity of the pair’s situation.

Colin Ellwood directs a  resonant piece, one that continually asks the question as to what freedom is and how this can be achieved. The metaphor of the tunnel one that plays out deeper than just the physical representation of one. Bruniges and Yellop jostling between the realities of post war Germany, and the idealism they both hold – two men out of many others actively shaping what life will look like moving forward via various means, but to what cost? A thought provoking evening.

Written by Lucy Basaba.

Tunnels is currently showing until Saturday 10th December 2022 at the Park Theatre. To find out more about the production, visit here…

Written by Theatrefullstop