Animal – Hope Mill Theatre

A hilarious, laugh out loud comedy which at the same time punches you straight in the gut.  Animal is an unapologetic portrayal of a young gay man’s sexual expression and exploration as a person with a severe physical disability.     

David (Christopher John-Slater) is ‘gay, disabled and profoundly horny’.  Cerebral palsy affects his mobility and co-ordination which hampers his enjoyment of his ‘auto-suck’ sex toy, leaving him unfulfilled, frustrated and annoyed.  David’s friends/carers, Jill, brilliantly played by Amy Loughton, Mani, pitched perfectly by Harry Singh, and Derek, splendidly portrayed by Matt Ayleigh, who David refers to as ‘his arms and leg’ as they assist with all elements of his care needs.  The differences in approach by Jill, Mani and Derek rests along the balance between encouraging David to explore and enjoy sex whilst also fulfilling their role to protect him as a vulnerable adult. It is not an easy task or at times, an easy watch. David craves spontaneity but his care needs require planning.  He feels trapped, like an animal.    

Park Theatre and Hope Mill Theatre present this new piece of LGBTQ+ writing which is eye opening, heart-warming and deliciously funny.  Based on a story written by Josh Hepple, writer Jon Bradfield delivers a wonderfully written, clever, witty stage play. Bradfield notes, ‘Josh’s willing of the play into existence, is, perhaps, a kind of activism, asserting not only that the central character in a play can be severely disabled, but also they can be complex and flawed, and that the needs and relationships that arise from their impairments are a worthwhile source of drama and comedy’.

The beauty of Jon Bradfield’s writing is how there is no room for sympathy or feeling sorry for David.  Instead, you empathise with his frustration, feel scared, and at times, annoyed at him. 

John-Slater is extremely watchable in his portrayal of David, successfully delivering the range of feelings and emotions as we watch the development of his sexual maturity, from the orgasmic joys to the absolute horrors which either bursts the audience into gales of laughter or shocks them into a stunned silence. 

The strong cast of six revel in the brilliance of the writing, with perfect comic timing and versatility with some doubling up of characters.  William Oxborrow is the sexual encounters chameleon, playing each character’s quirks with skill, his last appearance as ‘Dad’, is a genius move in doubling up.  Joshua Liburd, as potential love interest Liam, had wonderful chemistry with John-Slater, with some real tenderness in their interactions.   

Albeit with a slightly late start, the running time of 2 hours 40 minutes (including interval) felt slightly too long.  Some dialogue in later scenes felt like exposition which was already demonstrated within the narrative and characterisation.  That being said, the story wonderfully weaved through Gregor Donnelly’s set design, unique and clever in its creativity, allowing for quick adaptability seamlessly moving between interior and exterior scenes. The video, sound and lighting design compliment the movements of the set and the flow of the story with images from social media and a train platform projected audibly and visually onto the set.  All aspects of this production, the writing, cast and skilled creatives, is brought together under the competent direction of Bronagh Lagan to deliver a production which will have you talking long after curtain call.    

Catch Animal at the Hope Mill Theatre until the 2nd April, get tickets here; https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/animal/

Reviewer: Gill Lewis

Reviewed: 14th March 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★