What I liked
I love what Hanna did with such a simple idea and space. He took something that so many people have dealt with, that is, the loss of a parent and what it does to a family, and laid it out on a bare stage for us to deal with. And we were privileged to watch these two actors command the stage with such ease and brilliance that you almost didn’t want the show to end, but you knew it had to. Both actresses not only felt grounded, but fully commited to their characters. Watching them play emotional tennis with Hanna’s dialogue was a true joy. If there was a show that I felt everyone NEEDED to see at Fringe this year, it would be “Trunk.” It is not only a gem, but a show that will hopefully continue to live moving forward and produced by other companies down the road.
What I didn't like
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My overall impression
Let me start by saying I hope I can find the words to describe just how good this show is. I have seen a lot of shows at the Fringe. A lot of two-handers. A lot of dramas. And this is easily one of the best I have seen in a while.
Right from the start, the audience is captivated. We see a simple video showcasing two daughers and their dad playing a game of Uno. And in this video, we learn everything we need about the dynamic between these two girls. And then they show up in the space. In the basement of their dad’s house to finish clearing out the junk, and looking in the locked trunk.
“Trunk” quickly becomes a story that you cannot look away from, despite having several moments that you want to. For siblings watching the show, it becomes a tense tug of war of emotions as you watch these grils nagivate a space littered with so much sadness. And the tension between them, caused by their relationship, is almost it’s own physical character.
There are multiple moments where you hold your breath, or you grip your arm wrest, but there are also moments of love and laughter. It’s a true family story with all the levels of dirt, heartbreak, and love.
