Writer: Grace Joy Howarth
Director: Anastasia Bunce
Blood on Your Hands commences with an expressionistic physical theatre piece, ushering in the distinctive characters against a backdrop of melancholic music, thereby establishing the dark yet humorous ambience that permeates the play.
The opening scene deftly immerses the audience in the camaraderie between Dan and Kostayntyn. The portrayal of this joyous and unproblematic male friendship, skilfully enacted by Shannon Smith and Phillip John Jones, captivates with its charm. Their on-stage chemistry injects dynamism into the narrative, leaving the audience yearning for more of this friendship rather than being diverted by subplots that tend to dilute the storyline.
The line, ‘You’ve got a little blood on your hands,’ is introduced early on, offering a comic and light-hearted perspective on the challenges of working in a traumatizing setting like a slaughterhouse. Joy Howarth’s narrative delves into the complexities of animal cruelty and the backdrop of war in Ukraine, rendering the play timely and relevant and shedding light on the ongoing struggles.
Bunce’s direction incorporates expressionist elements to underscore the play’s themes and bridge the gap between the two countries. While effective in symbolic gestures, there is a lack of finesse in transitioning between scenes and from the naturalism of the text to the abstraction of movements. The display of animal murder, which the narrative gears up towards, falls short of delivering the visceral impact promised by the title.
Several design elements that could have enhanced the production’s quality fall slightly short. The set design is somewhat lacklustre, and the video projections appear dated. Abraham Walkling-Lea’s lighting design excels in visual poetry but struggles to delineate distinct spaces in dialogue scenes.
Despite its flaws, the story remains profoundly relevant and is propelled by the heart-warming friendship at its core. Though explicit and occasionally lacking in pacing, the play adeptly explores various issues in an interesting and human manner.
Runs until 3 February 2024
