Know Theatre proudly embraces the theatrically weird. That’s the vibe of the place, and it seems to work well. Producing Artistic Director Andrew Hungerford manages to find scripts that embody the personality of the theatre; this time, he didn’t have to look further than local playwright/director/actor/professor Brant Russell for a script that fits perfectly to wrap up the season.
"Bankers” is a dystopian story, billed as a “tragicomic look at what’s worth saving in the apocalypse and everything after.” It’s full of various types of laughs - some more organic than others - but it contains enough sci-fi drama to ground the piece, too.
Hungerford also directed this world premiere and designed the gorgeous set (which Danielle Robison brings to life through her scenic artistry and props deiign). Hungerford is also responsible for the masterful lighting. I love a true blackout, and also, the subtle changes as day turns to night did not go unnoticed. Noelle Wedig Johnston gives each character life through their costume design, and Doug Borntrager has outdone himself with a soundscape that really tells a story.
“Bankers” also features an incredible cast. James Creque plays “Hunter,” the security guard for the bank. Creque has become a Know staple, has a great handle on this kind of dialogue, and it always sounds natural coming from him. Aisha Josiah, a London native who wrote Know’s last show, “Dickless,” dons an authentic American accent and holds court as “Surrey,” the group’s leader. Ben Dudley, a hilarious comic actor, has some of the funniest moments as “Herbie,” a nature-loving resident of Bialystock (a random nod to Mel Brook’s musical, “The Producers”).
Jim Hopkins, with his powerful presence, takes over the stage as “Pete,” a strange old man with an agenda who is infinitely watchable, while k. Jenny Jones brings her brand of physicality to her scenes (and even those where she’s just in the background) in an unpredictable way. She really should be on stage more. Finally, Eileen Earnest, who just finished up a very different show over at Falcon Theatre, is “The Migrant” and is the villain of the story.
I really enjoyed the first two hours of the two-hour and three-minute runtime.
Do you remember the show “Trading Spaces,” where couples swapped homes and worked with a decorator to transform one room in their house into something different? There was a rotating cast of characters with various styles and personalities. You had Frank, the warm grandfather-like figure who preferred country-French aesthetics. There was Genevive, the “everywoman” who worked hard to usually give people what they wanted. And there was Hildi, who famously glued hay to someone’s wall as a design element. There was Doug, who gleefully put an exposed toilet in someone’s bedroom, going for a “prison theme.”
I always liked Frank and Genevive best, but I admired Hildi and Doug for their boldness. I sometimes think of Brant Russell as a cross between Hildi and Doug.
He’s brilliant, no doubt, but he also enjoys pushing the envelope. (I suspect Brant, whom I consider a friend, will be torn reading this review. He might be disappointed that I didn’t love every moment - he’s a playwright, as am I, and we’re all a little affirmation-hungry, I think. But part of me thinks he’ll also be giddy that he pushed my buttons enough to compare him to interior designers from a random reality show that aired at least twenty years ago.
After all, isn’t that what art is supposed to do? Inspire, provoke, and make us think?
Despite my thoughts about the ending of the play, you should go see it. It is a well-written script, with clearly defined characters, an interesting plot, and some twists and turns that you definitely won’t see coming.
Besides, how often do you get to see a dystopian story like this told via the medium of live theatre?
BANKERS runs through May 14th at Know Theatre of Cincinnati on Jackson Street in Over-the-Rhine. For more information, click here.