Show: 10
Title: 503
Category: Drama / Original Music / Physical Theater / Sci-fi / Audience participation / Literary adaptation / Political content
By: Jackdonkey Productions
Created by: Jeffrey Nolan and Zach Christensen
Location: Rarig Thrust
Summary: An adaptation of the 1921 dystopian novel We by Russian author Yevgeny Zamyatin about a totalitarian state based on numbers.
Highlights: As much as a society based on order, numbers, equations, and schedules kind of appeals to me, the world described in We, and 503, is not good. The multi-talented Jeffrey Nolan adapted and performs in this (mostly) solo show (with direction by Zach Christensen), playing all of the characters, er, numbers, in the story. In this strictly regimented world, everyone is referred to as a number; our protagonist is D-503, who is happy with his life until he meets a woman known as I-130, who shows him a different way that the world can be and convinces them to join the revolution. They need him because he designed the new spaceship Integral, which is part of their plans. D-503 is torn between his loyalty to the "One State" and his new love, especially when he hears of an operation that results in "perfect happiness" (if you're getting Severance vibes, you're not wrong). The story is clearly and succinctly told, Jeremy embodying every character and making them all distinct. The sparse set includes just a metal folding chair and a white screen for some scenes in silhouette. The daily schedule and directions for audience participation are displayed on the back wall of the theater (we become fellow numbers, stamping our feet, singing the patriotic song, and participating in the election), the visible tech person adding to the utilitarian feel. Hawken Paul provides a soundscape on violin and percussion, a short refrain announcing the beginning of each scene. He also plays a character or two towards the end of the play, which is why this isn't quite a solo piece. Like all of Jackdonkey's work, 503 is thoughtfully constructed with great attention to detail, and well executed by the cast and creative team. It's an engaging story that's not a little terrifying, showing a society with blind loyalty to the state and one ruler. (you can catch Jackdonkey's production of Shakespeare's Henry V at Theatre in the Round just after Fringe).
