The God Of Hell

However, as the dripping of the indoor plants ominously suggests, their property and quiet, innocent lives are under threat through the presence of an unexpected visitor or two.

Haynes (Jake Lyall) is hiding in their basement and appears to be on the run. Exactly from whom or what he’s running is never disclosed, but Lyall’s jittery and uneasy presence leads us to believe he hasn’t had an easy time. The fact he also emits blue, static flashes of lightning whenever he’s touched is also cause for alarm. Nevertheless, Emma and Frank let him stay, and their unfailing hospitality truly is the essence of the wholesome country America.

Government agent Welch (Ben McIvor) is another unwelcome visitor. Exuding patriotism and arrogance, his sickly sweet falseness in attempting to win over Emma’s trust is later exposed as just a front and his more sinister motives are eventually revealed.

The God Of Hell is a timely play that explores worldwide themes of terrorism, national security, patriotism and corporate farming. It all comes together seamlessly, as the characters and even the story itself seem so real – we all read the papers and are familiar with headlines on government secrecy, David Hicks, torture, war and of course money and power. In a disturbing yet bleak comedic manner, Shepard confronts the plight many modern-day farmers have against corporations and explores a new, slightly dangerous form of flag-in-your-backyard, sticker-on-your-car patriotism that we have become all too familiar with.

With a skilled cast that works together to create a sense of unease and anxiety, The God Of Hell is an entertaining yet extraordinarily realistic and horrifying reflection of our ever-changing world.

4/5 stars

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