Local director turns playwright with the 'Devil's Lunchbox'

Saturday 28 April 2018

Jersey director Mark Poisson is presenting 'The Devil's Lunchbox', his first play as a playwright and producer, at the Arts Centre today.

'The Devil's Lunchbox' tells the story of Daniel Robbins (Robbie Scott), a man who was tormented by a bully when he was 12 and has failed in pretty much everything since he left school. But things are about to get worse as a face from his past reopens old wounds.

Bullying is a very present theme in the play due to Mark's personal experiences as a teenager. He explained: "I had some sad experiences in local schools, nothing
as extreme as what Daniel, the main character, went through though. It was a lot of name calling. Unfortunately, in the 80s, schools didn’t know how to handle those situations. I hope they are more switched on today. Writing the play has been very cathartic, it helped me. You have got to get it out there. People are always shocked to hear what children do to others."

The entire play is set in an apartment, 27 floors up in midtown Manhattan with Daniel's flatmates, Shona and Martin, played by Victoria Cotter Isidro Da Mata, Martin's girlfriend by Kelly-Ann Box and Daniel's mum by Deborah Joy Taylor, who also directs.

'The Devil's Lunchbox' premiered at the Arts Centre on Thursday in front of a packed audience. Throughout the 90 minutes, it was non-stop drama with the story of Daniel unfolding before the spectator's eyes.

Pictured: Quick-witted banter between Daniel's housemates - journalist Martin and newly-appointed detective Shona - provides a particular highlight in the play.

The team of four behind the play put up a strong and energetic performance, with the quick-witted banter between Daniel's housemates - journalist Martin and newly-appointed detective Shona - providing a particular highlight.

Their bouncy dialogue picks up the pace between moments of darkness in the play, affording the audience a much-needed laugh with quips about Shona's woman-stealing ways (her character is an open lesbian) and Martin's inability to score the story of his life, instead finding himself stuck chasing Kardashians - he's not sure which one - all day, and ending up with a single column inch in return.

Their jokiness juxtaposes sharply against the demeanour of mysterious 'Natasha' - Martin's new girlfriend - whose presence visibly shakes Daniel. But why? It's a slow burner finding out, but the clues slowly drip-feed through the play in the form of a blue school folder, peanut butter smeared on a satanic painting, and a mystery takeaway delivery...

Pictured: The 90-minute play is set in Daniel Robbins' (Robbie Scott) Manhattan apartment.

Speaking after the play, Mark Poisson said: "The first noticeable thing was the applause received inbetween each of the scenes. This was rare for a play. 

"The cast did a sterling job of telling the story and what is evident is how someone still deals with having been bullied many years after leaving school. Some of the examples will shock. The cast fully deserved their huge applause at the end and for Jersey audiences to experience this new writing before anyone else was a huge privilege."

The cast will be at the Arts Centre again today for the two final performances at 14:30 and 20:00.

Pictured: From left, Kelly-Ann Box, Isidro Da Mata, Robbie Scott, Deborah Joy Taylor and Victoria Cotter.