Shellshocked – An Explosive New Play

Shellshocked – An Explosive New Play (****)
During World War I, a young, fragile veteran applies for an apprenticeship to an artist. The play moves slowly, but this reinforces the sense of underlying cunning of the painter. The soundtrack and late twists keep the show taut throughout.


This is 27th most enjoyable show of the 164 shows I have seen so far at the Fringe this year. You may see my other three-sentence reviews, in order from most enjoyable to worst, at my non-commercial website: https://fringefan.com/

Spellbinding performance from both players. Everyone's Fringe programme should include something like this.

This was fantastic. We saw Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me at last year's Fringe and were blown away. This did not disappoint. The audience were gripped from the outset. Beautifully written and acted, it was completely absorbing. We loved it.

Great writing. Excellent performances. This is what the Fringe is all about. Get a ticket of you can. 5 stars *****

Dark, Emotional, Tense, Gritty, - Jack Stokes has proved in Lash he can hold an audience in the palm of his hand. This time around he shares the stage and knows when to shine and when to retreat in the best two hander I have seen anywhere for a number of years. This isn't just a fringe show, this is story telling with power and quality and should be seen all around the country.

I've been coming to the Fringe for 9 years now and seen approx 200 shows in that time. This is up there as one of the very best. Amazing acting from both actors, completely grabbing and holding attention throughout. Left me exhausted at the end. Excellent script with plenty of surprises along the way. Just brilliant.

Great show to start my fringe journey. You are hooked from the start by the story and the fantastic acting. The intimate setting only adds to the experience and intensity of the production.

Shellshocked provides an interesting angle on the familiar theme of the First World War, telling the story of a young veteran played by Jack Stokes, who goes to see an older man played by Lee Bainbridge about a job. The set, comprising the older man's studio, is atmospheric and the venue is small, and was packed and hot on my visit. Apparently performed in real time, the play is slow, and the older man bewilderingly eccentric. His motives eventually become clear, leading to a rather implausible conclusion, accompanied by distracting, melodramatic music. Despite the issues outlined above, the production is worth seeing, notably for the set and performances, particularly of Jack Stokes.

A superb two hander of rising tension over the 70 mins of this play.

An emotional story of the artist and troubled war veteran that is brilliant acted by both. The stage, coupled with the atmosphere of the Pleasance bunker compliment the feel of the play perfectly.

Anyone into history or an emotional human lead story should see this.

Masterpiece. Spellbinding. An absolute must.

An amazing performance, so many emotions throughout! Well done to gents.

Fantastic piece of drama! The actors really act, i.e. try to make each other do something. The tension is immense! The script is brilliant, with a powerful message. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gripping, intense, thought provoking, disturbing and brilliantly acted. This is from our group of 14 year olds and 2 a bit older

A true tour de force: superb acting, a great script, and fabulous staging. No wonder it's scoring 5* across the board. Definitely my pick of the Fringe.

I saw Jack Stokes in "Lash" last year and he was brilliant in that (it's on this year too), so when I heard he was in another play I was always going to go to see it. he plays a totally different character in Shellshocked and from the moment he knocks on the door to go into Mr Lupine's (or should that be Sirs) office he has you captured. jacks acting balances perfectly with Lee Bainbridge's Mr Lupine.
It's the small details in Jack performance that stood out to me - the sort of things you could easily miss e.g. in once scene where he is really angry and shouting at Lupine his clenched fist is slightly relaxing and then clenching again leaving you thinking he is really going to land a punch on his nemesis.
Go and see this show - it will leave you a bit shaken to say the least so prob best to play seeing a comedy afterwards. As an Edinburgh resident I go to a dozen or so shows every year. I could only name one or two I went to last year (including Lash) but Shellshocked is one I will remember long after I have forgotten the others that I have seen this year.

The play was well acted and illustrated the difficulties facing a demobbed, traumatised soldier after the Great War. The power dynamic between the two actors was very well portrayed and with surprising twists. However, the venue could be described as intimate and atmospheric
but to me it was a smelly, dark, poorly ventilated cellar, with too many in the audience for such a small venue, making it too claustrophobic for me.

What a superbly acted, beautifully written play with moments of intense sadness combined with some dramatic twists. Great venue to be staged in too. One of our Fringe highlights!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An incredible piece of theatre. A wonderful set that is fully utilised to tell an intense and astonishing story that delves fully into the depths of the human condition. This was a random pick for us based on a poster we saw in the street and I’m so glad we went for it. Two brilliant actors telling a story that contains some stunning twists. A piece that explores jealousy, heroism and the need to leave a legacy.

Stunning! Wonderful venue/setting for a gripping story with two superb actors. Totally compelling and on my "day three" of the fringe this remains my best show so far out of fifteen.
Can't wait to watch "Lash" tonight with same actor.
Must see

Our first show for the 2024 Fringe and what a brilliant piece of theatre! With superb acting and a gripping storyline, this is a must-see for fans who love a tense plot with a twist. Highly recommend!