Shellshocked – An Explosive New Play
Theatre (new writing, historical)
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Venue 33Pleasance Courtyard - Bunker Two
- 10:50
- Aug 26
- 1 hour 10 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom - England
- Group: Richard Jordan Productions, 412, with Harrogate Theatre, LBT, Ketchup, Pleasance
- Warnings and additional info:
- Accessibility: May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
- Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
- Policy applies to: Children under 2 years
Description
From the creative team behind the five-star, multi-award winning plays Jesus, Jane Mother and Me, and Heroin(e) for Breakfast. The horrors of war have broken young Wesley, but could the madness he encounters beyond it save or destroy a soldier's shellshocked mind? A powerful new play from multi award-winning playwright Philip Stokes, recognised by the British Library as a culturally important playwright of the 21st century, and Olivier, Tony and Emmy award-winning producer Richard Jordan. Starring Jack Stokes (Winner, Adelaide Critics Circle Award 2023) and Lee Bainbridge – Heroin(e) For Breakfast: ***** (Sunday Telegraph).Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].
General venue access
- Accessible entry: Access via driveway off main road. Performance space is on Ground Floor with no steps.
- Stairs: Information not supplied
Wheelchair access type: Level Access
Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info
How and when to make an access booking
- Phone: +44 (0)131 226 0002
- Email: [email protected]
- Textphone: +44 (0)7860 018 299
- Find out more about access at the Fringe.
Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:
- Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
- Requires extra assistance when at a venue
- Has specific seating requirements
- Is a wheelchair user
- Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance
Sean Davis 13 days ago
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/
Alastair McInnes 16 days ago
Spellbinding performance from both players. Everyone's Fringe programme should include something like this.
Helen Billington 18 days ago
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.
Kirsty R 18 days ago
Great writing. Excellent performances. This is what the Fringe is all about. Get a ticket of you can. 5 stars *****
Gareth 19 days ago
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.
Fred Warman 20 days ago
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.
Kirsty Hughes 21 days ago
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.
Jon Smith 22 days ago
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.
Stephen 24 days ago
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.
Phil Ashton 25 days ago
Masterpiece. Spellbinding. An absolute must.
Alicia Welsh 25 days ago
An amazing performance, so many emotions throughout! Well done to gents.
Anton Zherzdev 26 days ago
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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
John Burns 27 days ago
Gripping, intense, thought provoking, disturbing and brilliantly acted. This is from our group of 14 year olds and 2 a bit older
Julia 28 days ago
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.
John Telfer 28 days ago
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.
James Gallagher 29 days ago
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.
Liz Lea 32 days ago
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!
Stuart 32 days ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
Lee Hassett 35 days ago
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
EW 37 days ago
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!
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Edinburgh Guide 24 days ago
British Theatre Guide 25 days ago
Theatre Weekly 26 days ago
Fringe Review 29 days ago
The Scotsman 33 days ago
The Real Chrisparkle 35 days ago
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.