Bones, Park Theatre Review — Theatre & Tonic

`Ronan Cullen (L) as Ed and James Mackay as Ollie (R) in Bones, Park Theatre`

★ ★ ★ ★

Reviewer - Charlene

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

Content warning: Self harm and suicide themes.

Bones is a collaborative piece of work from Redefine which was launched at the beginning of the pandemic by director Daniel Blake and ex-rugby player Nick Afoa and LooseHeadz the leading mental health charity within rugby. Redefines’ mission is to combine the world of rugby and theatre through movement and theatre. Performed in the theatre’s Park 90 space; the smaller of the two. It was an intimate space centred around astroturf to resemble a rugby pitch. Full use of the space was utilised and gave it an immersive feel especially when the actors often moved closer towards the audience.

Bones is Daniel Blake’s professional debut as both the Director and Movement Director. The movement for me was beautifully done and the way the 2 worlds collided of theatre and rugby was very clever. Bold, expressive, and explosive. Lewis Aaron Wood’s writing tells an emotive relatable story of the pressures and expectations on men but in this context specifically within the sporting industry. You are taken on a journey over 75 minutes of how a man learns to ask for help after realising he’s not doing as well as he would like following his mum’s death. Yusuf Niazi is the Producer and Eliza Willmott Sound Designer. Collectively they build an atmosphere of tension, stress, pressure and entrapment.

The cast of Bones, Park Theatre 2 (c) Charles Flint.jpg

Samuel Holt (L) as Charlie, Ashley Fannen (C) as Will and Ronan Cullen (R)as Ed in Bones, Park Theatre (c) Charles Flint.jpg

The actors were fantastic and all brought something to make their characters come to life. Ed, played by Ronan Cullen was the man struggling with his mental health. On the surface he looks like a strong man but inside he is feeling very vulnerable, and this play will make you evaluate your own stance on stereotypes. Toxic masculinity and feeling like they have to keep on are the pressures on men from society in many forms. Through the performance, Ed opens up first by being honest to himself in his thoughts and then to others around him.

Will, played by Ainsley Fannen, on the surface is very cheeky. However over time, he becomes one of Ed’s biggest supporters. He was very funny and highlighted bravados men often use when it comes to facing serious topics. Charlie played by Samuel Hoult was the sensible one of the groups and at first seemed to be quite understanding of Ed’s struggles but he goes on a journey of mixed emotions himself. James Mackay played Ollie and Eds Dad; he managed to transition between the two characters with little struggle. They did a great job of showing different ways men can support others but also how even friends can make mistakes.

This is a powerful show with an important message and certainly provides a space for conversation around men’s mental health. At the end of the show, Ed says about the next steps which I thought was very important as it shows things can change and seeing him talk about therapy and letting his injury heal whether it be physical or mental.

I have no knowledge of rugby but I do of mental health so I was intrigued to see how these would work together. The movement shown in the rugby scenes was beautiful and made me see Rugby through a different lens. Throughout Ed’s struggles, he often says how it would be easier to have a physical illness and I’ve been in that place myself so that was really real and relatable to have that said. This is a brave and important performance highlighting toxic masculinity and the expectations men put on themselves or how society puts them on their shoulders.

Bones is a fantastic, energetic show about friendship, teamwork and letting your injury heal whether that’s physical or mental.