📍Union Theatre

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Upon entering the Union Theatre (a venue I’d not been to before, and completely fell in love with!), the doors open to reveal what is unmistakenly the kitchen/living room of a flatshare. Mismatched mugs line the kitchen counter, empty beer bottles sit atop a microwave, and a cheap bottle of prosecco takes centre stage on a small coffee table. The attention to detail displayed in this set begins a trend that resounds throughout the piece: Writer (and producer, and performer) Becky Bond has created a stunning, intricate, vital piece of theatre.

Disposable follows five friends through their second year at university; we see their various comings and goings from the vantage point of their flat kitchen, with the story told in prose-rich vignettes ranging from birthday drinks, to more earnest moments discussing fear around their futures. The group is thrown into disarray though when one of them, Jacob, is accused of rape after a drunken party. This shocking revelation – which Jacob denies – triggers questions surrounding the delicacy and complexities around consent, with Bond’s writing bolding delving deep into the tricky facets surrounding these issues. The story explores the fallout from such distressing matters, looking at the difficulties of responding appropriately, dealing with loyalties and separating the person you know, from the accusation against them. All of this is explored with such care; at no point does it feel overly didactic, on the nose or as if we are being fed a boiled-down moral message. Instead, Disposable prises open the uncomfortable nuance and difficult truths of the situation.

Bringing to life Bond’s script are a small but mighty ensemble of actors; talent coupled perfectly with its writing. Immediately, it is easily believable that these are five best friends, and indeed, fully fledged real people. There is a comfortable chemistry between all five performers, making the tonal shift from coming-of-age dramedy to something much more serious all the more believable, and heart wrenching when additional stories of assault are revealed. Bond plays Megan, an avid and upbeat Tik-Toker, with clear insecurities (as laid out in an all too relatable Hinge profile dissection scene). She is completely captivating on stage, particularly in Act Two as her own experience comes to light. Amaarah Roze, William Huke and Sukey Willis play Lucy, Will and Sam respectively, each adding to the incredible energy and chemistry on stage. Paddy Lintin as accused Jacob plays a twenty-something lad – a loud mouthed, cheeky-chappy, self-confessed shagger. In order for the second act to work, we the audience need to initially buy in to Jacob’s charm, and this is easily achieved through Lintin’s portrayal. His thoughtful performance helps to highlight one of the several takeaways from the show – that men who commit assaults like this are often hiding in plain sight rather than lurking down alleys, making the calling out of this problematic behaviour all the more imperative, no matter how small the words or actions may appear.

Perhaps the only place where Disposable falters is in its pace; with a 45 minute first act, comprising almost entirely of exposition, and a 75 second act, as a piece it feels a little unbalanced. Though there is interesting character development towards the end of the show, some of the final gut-punch effect is weakened as the pace slows. Despite this though, Bonded Theatre have produced a fantastic show in Disposable.

Disposable partners with Women’s Aid, a national charity working against domestic abuse: https://womensaid.org.uk/

Disposable plays at the Union Theatre until the 9^th of November.

🎟️ Tickets and information: https://uniontheatre.biz/show/disposable/