Capture the Flag!
★★★☆☆ Good fun
Scottish Storytelling Centre: Sun 8/Mon 9 December 2024
Review by Suzanne O’Brien
Capture the Flag! follows a group of fast-food workers on a mandatory company retreat where tensions build and relationships are tested. The Napier Drama Society’s Winter Show at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, is a light-hearted satire filled with workplace drama and absurdity.
Leila Quinn’s Capture the Flag! is set at the Generic team-building retreat where work gossip and everyday drama are hilariously exaggerated. While the plot builds towards a high-stakes game of capture the flag, the retreat’s activities take a back seat to the real focus, which is a dysfunctional group of coworkers navigating their tangled relationships and conflicts.
A scene from Capture the Flag!. Pic: NUDS
The large cast, which is split into two opposing teams, bring a quirky and varied group of characters to life. Kai Bryan and Karoline Sørensen Håstul portray an innocent and naive pregnant couple, while Gonçalo Góis commands attention as a bizarre man in the woods of the retreat, delivering an unsettling and wild energy.
The ensemble also includes irritating colleagues and Pia Ayrivie as Poppy, a frustratingly underqualified boss who is reliant on knowledgeable manager Charlotte, played convincingly by Molly Lloyd. Each character is entirely unique and all add to the retreat’s chaos.
Standout characters include Theresa, an unassuming yet dryly funny elderly worker and an ominous figure in a deathly disguise whose identity remains a secret until the final scenes. While the latter could come across as eerie it is intentionally played with humour, which maintains the play’s light-hearted tone and fits seamlessly into the play’s satirical world. Both characters are played with great physical comedy by Maureen Martin, which demonstrates her strong range.
emotional weight
The relationships vary from grounded and heartfelt to the bizarre. The most believable occurs between River (Eliza Farron) and Alex (Hazel Pattison), whose friendship holds much of the emotional weight of the piece. The tension between them builds with a pivotal bet – if Alex’s team wins, River cannot quit her job. Their chemistry brings authenticity and depth to their scenes.
A scene from Capture the Flag!. Pic: NUDS
Not all of the many simultaneous storylines are as strong. Some fall short of their potential, and while moments of absurdity are entertaining, they don’t always go far enough to maximise their comedic impact. Streamlining the amount of content or embracing the absurdity more boldly, could have enhanced the narrative and strengthened its comedic and emotional resonance.
Although no director is named, the simple set, lighting, and costume design, created under Tech manager Sam Gossage effectively highlight the characters and help distinguish the competing teams through the use of blue and red colouring. The personally designed t-shirts add a comedic touch while helping the audience understand each character’s personality and traits.
uneven pacing
Quinn’s ambitious script packs in character development and complicated relationships, though stilted transitions and uneven pacing occasionally disrupt the flow. While the attempt to resolve and tie up all of the loose ends is commendable, some resolutions feel forced.
The cast’s collective energy and camaraderie shine through, creating an enjoyable and supportive atmosphere on stage. They have a willingness to poke fun at corporate clichés and lean into the absurd in a way that feels both harmless and enjoyable. Despite its long length which drags at times, Capture the Flag! succeeds as a humorous, satirical show. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, delivering a playful and light-hearted experience that is just as quirky as the characters it portrays.
Running time: Two hours (including one interval)
Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High St, EH1 1SR. Phone booking: 0131 556 9579
Sun 8/Mon 9 Dec 2024.
Evening: 7pm.
Tickets and details: Sunday, Monday.
NUDS: Facebook: @napierNUDS
Instagram: @napiernuds
The cast of Capture the Flag!. Pic: NUDS
ENDS
