Working in retail can be a soul-stealing endeavor. Martin Thompson’s The Returned is a surrealist romp through the wonderful consumerist hell that is the American Mall and the inner lives of the people who sell dreams within it.
The Returned begins with Kohl’s cafe barista Dot (Sedona Salb) in a clandestine meeting with cake-buyer Nestor (Geovanni Felicier). During their mall-bound meet-cute, Nestor slips and falls (much like the man on the wet floor sign) and dies. After this, Dot embarks on a quest to bring Nestor back to life, although he is not really dead, but merely trapped in the shopping-center-bound body of a teddy bear.
The story explores the intersection between the instant gratification of consumerism and the bargaining that comes with grief. Martin Thompson masterfully explores themes of losing oneself and losing another while never losing The Returned’s wacky and playful energy.
Leslie Thompson’s direction epitomizes doing a lot with a little. Thompson creates a magical immersive world using only two clothing racks, a cloth, and a stool. Aided by Martin Thompson’s movement, the actors tread the ground between fantasy and reality with grace and awe-inspiring precision.
The actors balance the surreal and human elements of the show effortlessly. Sedona Salb takes the audience on a journey with Dot; starting as something of a manic pixie dream girl, she transforms Dot into an exhausted, relatable, and deeply human character through the run. Similarly, Geovanni Felicier shines. His comedic chops are outstanding and he harnesses the ability to draw the audience in and keep them there indefinitely.
A mesmerizing, fun, and emotional commentary on consumerism and the humans behind it, The Returned will surely be one of this year’s Fringe favorites.
Running Time: 60 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Dates and Times:
- July 19 at 7:00 PM
- July 20 at 2:50 PM
Venue: Goldman Theater – Theater J
Tickets: $15
More Info and Tickets: The Returned
The complete 2024 Capital Fringe Festival schedule is online here.