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Old Bones

 
Sascha Cooper Review by Sascha Cooper 5 Published: 11 May 2023 The Poets Ale and Smoke House Show Dates: 8 May 2023-14 May 2023

If you had the opportunity to be your most authentic self... If you could excel at one thing for the rest of your life in exchange with the Devil for your soul, would you take it? This is is the concept that Third Pier Theatre's Daniel Hird (James Napier) and Jen McGregor (writer and director) explore in exciting new writing Old Bones. Four hundred years ago, Napier was constantly in his brother's successful shadow, until one day whilst in a bored, drunken stupor, he summons the Devil himself. After that fateful day when he wins a dice game against the keeper of hell, James Napier travels the world forever hoping to lose and finally rest in eternity.

A breath of fresh air with the right amount of fantasy, history, comedy and suspense

One might think that this is an overused concept of the Devil wanting your soul in exchange for something else; but here, Hird and McGregor turn the concept on its head by not only exploring the biggest price to pay - what would actually happen if you did win - but cleverly fusing fiction and real life historical events of witchcraft, devil worship and more with a small hint of immersive interaction with the audience to bring Napier's story to life.

Using this kind of fusion is a huge risk, as well as picking on members of the audience to be part of the story due to the fact the suspense and mystery for a tale such as this can be lost. But it is not the case here. McGregor's writing is seamless, timeless and creates the perfect scenario for our lost narrator, beautifully blurring the lines between fiction and reality that nothing is questioned at all. The magic of her writing and her sharp direction of Hird's sterling performance heightens the supernatural elements needed to draw the audience in. So much so, if someone is chosen to join our protagonist on stage, again, nothing is questioned due to the powerful and engaging story telling prowess of Hird. He draws everyone in never missing a beat and has a strong emotional journey as he gradually lets us in to his ever lasting torment, as he discovers love, manipulation and more.

The set is simple - a small painted picture of his brother four hundred years ago, a single wooden chair, red sheets thrown over objects such as a candle to create intensity and a pack of playing cards indicating gambling risks and a lust for throwing everyting to chance. Using these simple things, as well as Hird's charm and physicalised performances to indicate sea travel, nearly drowning and more, easily creates a world that fits comfortably between this world and the next. Not only that, the vocal dynamics Hird uses to weave a spell over us and keep us interested is engaging. Ranging between bitterness, happiness and sadness with the perfect amount of breathing space to comprehend the horror the Devil puts him through despite not always being present.

Old Bones is a breath of fresh air with the right amount of fantasy, history, comedy and suspense.

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The Blurb:

OLD BONES, by Jen McGregor, is the debut production of Third Pier Theatre. Originally playing to sold out crowds at the Prague Fringe and Buxton Fringe, OLD BONES has continued to tour the UK entertaining audiences of all ages, performing in Fringe theatres, drama schools, and live venues. OLD BONES tells the story of James Napier; a gambler, drinker, adventurer, and lothario who, sick of living in the shadow of his adored and revered brother, calls upon infernal forces to do what no man has done before. And 400 years later, he's still paying the price... A story of love, loss, revenge, and forgiveness. This interactive one-man show has received glowing praise from critics and audiences alike. "Daniel Hird gives an excellent performance as lothario-turned-wanderer. His oscillation between genuine anguish and flirtatious charm maintains a good narrative pace as Napier is buffeted across oceans and centuries, haunted by a secret too terrible to divulge." (THE SKINNY) "Fascinating, excellently paced, and brilliantly performed... he fully embodies the roguish, dangerous charm and anguish of the character with finesse." (THE WEE REVIEW)