Craig Wright’s The Unseen is a harrowing exploration of the crushing effects of oppression, presenting a world where the human spirit appears irreparably battered. Premiering at Riverside Studios, this unflinching production captures the bleakness of life as political prisoners under totalitarian rule, blending moments of dark humour with visceral depictions of suffering.
Set in a desolate prison, the story centres on Wallace (Richard Harrington) and Valdez (Waj Ali), two prisoners confined to adjacent cells. Their only solace lies in their fragmented conversations through the walls, where they pass time with word games, memories, and philosophical musings. Yet the connection they form is tenuous, marked by the stark differences in their coping mechanisms. Wallace, held for 11 years, has surrendered to the monotony of his confinement, while Valdez, imprisoned for three, oscillates between frantic hope and unraveling despair.
Harrington’s portrayal of Wallace is a masterclass in restrained suffering. His repetitive routines, like the methodical placement of his spoon, speak to a man whose will has been methodically worn down. His faded clothes and weary demeanour reflect the weight of a decade of incarceration. In contrast, Ali’s Valdez captures the frenzied energy of a man clinging to hope but increasingly consumed by delusions—most notably his belief in a mysterious woman inhabiting a cell between theirs. The interplay between the two is riveting, offering a sobering view of how extreme isolation strips away individuality and identity.
Ross Tomlinson’s Smash, the prison guard, adds another dimension to the narrative. Initially the embodiment of institutional cruelty, Smash’s cracks begin to show as he becomes haunted by the pain he inflicts. Tomlinson brings a terrifying intensity to the role, especially in a harrowing monologue about torture, yet he also reveals the character’s growing instability. This duality makes Smash a fascinating and deeply unsettling figure.
The stark staging enhances the suffocating atmosphere. Simon Kenny’s barren set design, with its crumbling cell blocks and a hauntingly empty middle cell, mirrors the characters’ broken lives. Anna Watson’s lighting and Mike Walker’s sound design amplify the tension, from the relentless buzzing of alarms to the disorienting flashes of light. These elements combine to create an environment that feels oppressive yet uncomfortably immersive.
Under Iya Patarkatsishvili’s direction, The Unseen unfolds as a bleak but profound meditation on humanity’s fragility under oppressive regimes. Echoing the existential despair of Waiting for Godot, the play strips away any illusions of hope or resilience, exposing the crushing reality of dehumanisation.
With its unrelenting intensity and thought-provoking narrative, The Unseen stands as a stark reminder of the devastating cost of totalitarianism. It is an unmissable production that forces its audience to confront uncomfortable truths about power, submission, and survival.
Writer: Craig Wright
Director: Iva Patarkatsishvili
Cast: Waj Ali, Richard Harrington, Ross Tomlinson
Venue: Riverside Studios
Running Time: 75 minutes (no interval)