Money by Shunt

How much value should be put into and taken from the design of a theatre show? In the case of Money by Shunt, the set design feels like it is the show. Set in a warehouse in Bermondesy – lurking behind bricks and mortar comes a green steel machine. It churns, vibrates and oozes groans reminiscent of the future or rather what the future will be.

The problem with Money is the very same thing that makes the show so brilliant – the set and stage design. Shunt are known for their theatre work in relationship to space. Their work evolves and develops from the organic relationship they have with the space they occupy. Their residence within in the Network Railway Tunnels under London Bridge Station (known as The Shunt Lounge) saw a development in the company that proved that space was at the heart of their work – and who could not be inspired by the cold and barren tunnels.

Yet with this new adventure into Money, I can’t help but to think that Shunt have completely forgotten that with theatre comes acting and in its truest form – a performance. So what went wrong here? Was it the terribly bad acting, the flimsy storyline or just an overwhelming sense that the set design cost so much, little was thought about the story?

It would take someone with a non-existant pulse to not take some enjoyment from Money‘s tricks, and transformation of stage space. You are transported at times via train with air blasting to your sides, to suddenly appearing within a chamber made of wooden paneled doors and walls. Whilst we haven’t moved from where we first started, the overwhelming sense of transportation certainly lingers in you.

From here, the action pretty much takes place everywhere. If there is one thing you should expect from Money it is to not forget to look up, down, left and right before quite knowing where the action may happen next. Shunt’s ability to whip the viewpoint of the audiences perspective from one storey to three stories high within the machine is wonderful. The acting is however questionable.

With a storyline that flutters between fragmented moments of capitalism, greed, lust, and the unknown, the plot seems thinly stretched out within this monstrous machine we are placed within. The small ensemble who double or triple up in roles are perhaps a little overwhelmed with the constant changing of levels and character that they forget to impress the audience. For a performance that is meant to keep the spectator on edge, why do you double up actors? We want to feel scared, alive, and threatened by what might happen next… not to get use to seeing the same 5 actors again and again.

Money is like the matter itself, thinly produced, too much work for little outcome and is quite frankly, not worth the value of the ticket price. Money is therefore, quite ironic. You can’t just wow an audience with a surprising set design, you have to follow through with the story and acting to truly pull off what Shunt have sought to do, and sadly they don’t quite get it.

For a show that is so spectacular, it really is awfully executed.

Tickets can be booked online for Money on the Shunt Money website. Booking until 25th September 2010.