Boys Who Like to Play With Dolls

This two-person dance and physical piece is performed and choreographed by Tereza Ondrová and Peter Šavel, a male-female duo who have worked successfully both separately and together for many years now. Boys Who Like To Play With Dolls is based on the borders within gender identity, and aims to show how easily our definition of physicality can be challenged. By using basic travelling sequences, voice and dance and then pairing it with other basal forms and guttural noises, we see each dancer transform in front of us.

This show has received acclaim all over the world and it's not hard to see why.

What is unique about this piece is how quickly you feel your own perceptions being challenged. Their strong physiques and gender neutral costumes and appearance help this, but it is due in most part to their precise ability to adapt their own bodies between a masculine and feminine shape. As they cross over, switch and swap between the swaggering male stereotype and the tip-toed female strut in front of your eyes, it's nothing short of fascinating.

Some of the phrases felt a little too drawn out and other decisions felt perhaps a little self indulgent. Aside from this the music and sound choices were really interesting, and the motif of being covered in graffiti depicting others people's expectations was used very well.

This show has received acclaim all over the world and it's not hard to see why. Despite some of the dynamic of the piece being lost a little when certain sections went on a bit too long, this is a really interesting piece that is perfectly performed.

Reviews by Hannah Lucy Baker

Greenside @ Nicolson Square

Red and The Wolf

★★★
The Edinburgh Academy

Spring Awakening

★★★★
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

The Rules Of Inflation

★★★★
Assembly Checkpoint

Confessions of a Justified Songwriter

★★★★★
Assembly Hall

9 to 5

★★★★
Sweet Grassmarket

Drink! The Musical

★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

Welcome to a fantasy world in which masculinity and femininity are unrelated to male and female physical forms. Two distinctive, compelling European dancers, Ondrová and Šavel, morph from one body to another, attacking the conventions, norms and clichés of gender. Movement and dance become an expression of the contrast between the identity of body and soul, and between genetic givens and social prejudices, attempting to challenge the various social stereotypes and explore the theme of gender in a language of pure physicality. European Top 20 Priority Companies 2014 selected by Aerowaves.

Most Popular See More

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical

From £12.00

More Info

Find Tickets

The Phantom of the Opera

From £30.00

More Info

Find Tickets

The Play That Goes Wrong

From £27.00

More Info

Find Tickets

The Mousetrap

From £30.00

More Info

Find Tickets

SIX

From £39.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Frozen the Musical

From £36.00

More Info

Find Tickets