Dreaming of Bones (tour)
More than a million people in Britain suffer from eating disorders. Red
Ladder (one of the UK’s leading new writing companies for young audiences)
bravely attempt to shed light on this issue.
Xavier communicates with his mum via notes or a mobile
phone. You might not think this is strange, but they live in the same
house. Xavier is anorexic. His nickname is ‘Bones.’ Like most young people he
dreams of a better life, a life where he is not controlled by food, a life
without pain.
In preparation for his stay at the local ‘thin bin’, Xavier begins making a
video diary. Through these moving images we learn about this enigmatic,
humorous, tortured young man and how his illness affects him and the lives
all of all those around him.
Damian Gorman‘s writing enables to audience to empathise with Xavier
rather than just feel sorry for him. The media tend to focus on anorexia
as being a ‘female’ illness. Gorman deserves praise for attempting to shatter
that myth.
Actor Simon Hadfield has said that his only hope is that he’s
done Gorman’s writing justice. I’m happy to report that he more
than rises to the challenge. He manages to convey pain, heartache,
confusion
and regret all at once. You really do get a sense of what it’s like to be
probed and constantly asked about your childhood- as the medical
profession
search for the cause of your illness. But as Xavier says: “I’m just not
comfortable in my own skin.”
Director Shabina Aslam‘s ambitious vision pays off. She uses video
projection, musicians and poetry to excellent effect. None of these
techniques are wasted. Ivan Stott and Lucy Payne’s superb violin,
cello
and guitar playing provide a beautiful soundtrack to the voices in
Xavier’s
head and his dream like state. Likewise Graham Clayton Chance and Pete
Brundle’s superb moving images work provide the audience with a key to
Xavier’s soul. Annmarie Woods‘ marvellous set compliments all of the
above.
This wonderful new production has almost everything going for it. At times
the narrative drags but overall this is an innovative piece of work that
never feels overdone or pretentious. It also tackles a fairly taboo
subject
without preaching or offering the audience a ‘pat’ conclusion. For these
reasons alone it needs to be applauded.
– Glenn Meads
