The Adventures Of Shirley and Wound Man

Venue: Contact Theatre

Coming of age dramas and tales of sexual awakening can be dour; as
if the author feels compelled to emphasise the gravity of the
situation. The Adventures of Wound Man and Shirley, the latest solo show by writer, director and actor Chris Goode, on the other hand is told with humour and bags of charm.

The central character is a boy named Shirley – and that is the least
of his problems. His emotional growth inhibited by the death of his
brother Shirley, finds himself unable to act on his growing attraction
to the captain of the school cross-country team.

This changes when Wound Man moves into the neighbourhood. Based upon
a medical engraving from the 1600s illustrating the injuries that can 
be sustained on the battlefield he is studded with deadly weapons.
Unlike Shirley – and the audience – his scars are external and his pain
physical, as Wound Man is a superhero.

We can tell because he wears a snazzy silver thong – claiming to
need the sazz. His powers are vague but seem to be empathic allowing
him to ease the suffering of others. One of the funniest sequences
involves Wound Man trying to explain the role and powers of the
superhero in management terms – ‘ a freelance social interventionist’
or ‘ it’s more about empowering others’. Wound Man needs a sidekick
which offers Shirley a chance to grow emotionally but also exposes the
superhero to the type of prejudice that can defeat even acomic strip
figure.

Goode interprets Shirley with a wide-eyed sense of wonder. This
covers any gaps in logic and shamelessly directs the emotions of the
audience. Vocally Goode gives Wound Man a clipped, almost military,
voice that works well.

Although this is a one-man show it has the feel of a full-blown
theatrical production. The set, designed by Janet Bird, gives us an
attic bedroom decorated in a style too young for a teen but in which
the occupant has begun to exert a degree of individuality by adding
posters and other designs.

An imaginative and colourful animated sequence by Adam Smith allows
us to share Shirley’s dreams of flying. Even the soundtrack avoids
cliche giving us songs by the likes of Kate Rusby instead of the more
obvious choices that have been done to death.

The Adventures of Wound Man and Shirley tells a familiar tale in a refreshing and imaginative way to leave us amused and moved.

– Dave Cunningham