Theatre Temp Presents SALT

By Juan Manuel Lozada Corinaldesi

This year, Theatre Temp proudly presented the amazing play Salt, which was written by the award-winning writer Dawn King, and directed by the father and son duo Michael and Seamus Fera.

Salt is a play that confronts the complexities of human survival, the ethics of conflict, and the moral decisions we make in the face of economic catastrophe. A place where the boundaries of what is "right" and "wrong" are blurred. This play is based on a not-so-distant future in the UK. Salt starts in a post-apocalyptic setting, where a group of individuals are forced to confront their pasts, the breakdown of society, and the struggle for a better future. The characters are introduced as members of a team that works together to be the top team on the scheme's rank, while dealing with the emotional collapse of the world and people around them.

In team 2B, six characters—Claudia, Ade, Kassim, Sal, Morgan, and Rowan—are thrown together in a tense and emotionally charged setting. They've all escaped from difficult situations, and the story focuses on how they deal with the aftermath, both individually and as a group.

Claudia is deeply affected by her past and must face painful memories as the story unfolds. Ade, who escaped an abusive home, seems disconnected and uninterested in the work placement, often frustrating his teammates by saying the scheme isn't worth it. Kassim, who's joined the program to help support her family and younger sisters, is determined and tough, doing whatever it takes to improve their lives.

Sal, who once had a scholarship, is struggling with her self-confidence after failing her exams. She joins the scheme to prove she can still achieve her goals, though she has emotional breakdowns along the way. Morgan, a smart and enthusiastic young woman, dropped out of school because she felt it was a waste of time. Even though she's younger than the others, she finds her place in the team and builds a strong friendship with Kassim.

Rowan, a smart but submissive character, tries to align herself with Claudia, the team leader, in hopes of gaining favor. Despite her intelligence, Rowan is terrified of water, which makes it puzzling why she would join a scheme set at sea.

Just as 2B exits the room, another team—1A—enters with a plan to steal Claudia's tablet and take control of the ship to escape the scheme. Talya, the ruthless leader of 1A, grabs the tablet while her teammates—Nick, Elmer, and Star—brandish makeshift weapons, trapping 2B with no way out. However, the tablet is locked, and Claudia's password is the only key. Claudia, unwilling to give in, stands her ground, and tries to convince 2B about how good the scheme will be. But as the scene unfolds, alliances begin to shift, with some members of 2B betraying their team and joining 1A, forcing Claudia into a difficult position. With no other choice, she reluctantly hands over her password, leading to a final twist. Sal and 1A turn the ship around, heading back home.

Themes of Salt include both the pain of memories and the potential for healing, as characters wrestle with their pasts. Everyone enjoyed this amazing play, including me, an actor in the play. I had a lot of fun giving life to Nick from 1A. Thanks to Miss Zambrano, Miss Browne, Michael, and Seamus Fera for this amazing opportunity.