Five Reasons to See … Bike Shed’s Bunnies
The Bike Shed Theatre’s maiden tour comprises a brand new staging of Kieran Lynn’s play Bunnies. Directed by David Lockwood, the Bike Shed’s co-artistic director, the production begins its journey at the New Diorama in London on 23 October (until 3 November) before touring to Salisbury Playhouse (6-10 November) and Bristol’s Tobacco Factory (13-24 November).
1. It’s an award-winning play
In 2011, a year after opening as Exeter’s only small scale theatre, The Bike Shed Theatre was awarded the Mark Marvin Rent Subsidy at the Peter Brook Awards for the world premiere production of Bunnies at The Bike Shed in November 2011.
2. The writer
Kieran Lynn. This is a writer to look out for. His most recent play An Incident at the Border received a West-End transfer, was commissioned by BBC Radio 4 and produced in the United States. He has completed the Royal Court Young Writers programme, the Playwrights Studio Scotland mentoring programme, the BBC Sparks Residential Course, the Old Vic 24hr Plays event and has recently completed a year long attachment at the Hampstead Theatre. Catch him now.
3. The maiden tour
The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter, Devon was created by Fin Irwin and David Lockwood in 2009. Originally using an old Chinese restaurant as a pop-up venue, they have gone on to create a 60 seat subterranean theatre and vintage cocktail lounge. They have produced 15 plays in-house over the last two and a half years. Beanfield went to the Tobacco Factory in 2009 and Circus Britannica spent a week at Theatre503 in 2001 but this production of Bunnies, marks the company’s maiden voyage of touring discovery. Starting at the New Diorama for two weeks, a week at the Salisbury Playhouse and the final two weeks with the Tobacco Factory, Bristol.
4. The themes
Think EDL, think tightening immigration laws, think badger culling, think about The Archers… Growing frustrated at the destruction of his rural idyll, a farmer picks up a pamphlet that encourages him on a path towards the removal of every non-indigenous species on his land. A thought provoking, dark comedy pondering the effects of extremism.
5. It was good last time – this time, it’s better
“Tremendous, amusing dark comedy” Whatsonstage.com, November 2011. With a new cast, some re-writes from the writer and even more taxidermy, this play will knock your socks off.
