Stuntman

Stuntman is for anyone who has ever enjoyed a violent action movie (but felt a bit weird about it). It is an intensely physical, funny, and tender duet by two men who wrestle with their relationship to violence – both onscreen and off. Fusing the Pow! Biff! and Wallop! of over-the-top stunt fights with personal stories of real encounters with violence from the performers’ lives.

It takes inspiration from classic and contemporary action movies like Die Hard, John Wick and Enter the Dragon to create high-octane and sometimes ridiculous fight scenes, while examining the impact that having action hero role models has on men and boys.

A striking, film set-inspired design by Rachel O’Neill, along with sound by Richy Carey and lights from Michaella Fee immerse the audience in the excitement of the heightened, cartoonish fights and draw us into the performer’s personal stories of their relationship with violence and aggression.

The audience are front and centre of the action, an intimate yet explosive performance from David Banks and Sadiq Ali juxtaposes the anger, rage and hype that men can feel on the brink of a fight with the calm softness and tenderness of not wishing to be violent.

Adrenaline, tension and laugh out loud moments allows the audience to consider the themes of this work while watching an entertaining piece of highly physical theatre, taking away some food for thought around their relationship to violence in the media and how that influences their lives.

Reviews
“A thoroughly exhilarating 60 minutes that certainlypulls no punches” - The Recs

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “This is the kind of theatre we need.” - The List

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “A gripping, galvanising hour of dance, athleticismand autobiography that might shock, surprise, evenseduce.” - The Arts Desk

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “A rich theatrical examination of the relationshipsbetween violence and masculinity” - Culture Fix

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “A subtle and moving meditation on masculineviolence” - The Stage

★ ★ ★ ★ “Simply breathtaking” - The Skinny

★ ★ ★ ★ “On the surface fun and silly, it has much greaterdepth …delivered with a (thoughtful) punch. A smallbut perfectly formed piece of theatre.” - Glasgow Theatre Blog

“An intelligent and fully-formed piece of theatre.” - Three Weeks Edinburgh

★ ★ ★ ★ “A hugely physical piece of theatre.” - Edinburgh Guide

★ ★ ★ ★ “Should be shared with as many young men aspossible” - Edinburgh Festivals Magazine