Body 115 – Theatre@41, York

Writer and Performer: Jan Noble

Director: Justin Butcher

On November 18th 1987, there was a fire in the Underground station at Kings Cross in London, which claimed the lives of 31 people. One of the dead, burnt beyond recognition, was left unknown. The spirit of this lost soul becomes a begrudging guide and companion to a travelling poet in Body 115, the epic poem come one man show named for the mortuary tag given to the dead man.

Starting in rainy Milan and then backtracking to a rainy London,Body 115 sees writer/performer Jan Noble lyrically meander through a host of European countries, via the Underworld, accessed through the London Underground. The show is aDante’s Inferno inspired musing on the tragedy of lost identity, lost love and taking steps towards the recovery of both. Noble’s epic poem lends itself beautifully to being staged as a monologue, with the actor taking on both roles. Noble has a mesmerising physicality, and his differentiation by voice allows the audience to follow along with him easily with regards to character. An atmospheric soundscape by Jack Arnold helps locate the story as it treks through London, Kent, Dover, Calais, Paris and finally Milan, as ghosts and memories flock around the poet.

Between Noble’s soothing yet powerful voice, and Justin Butcher’s smooth and fluid direction, Body 115 is an experience that often causes the good shivers down the spine. It’s beautifully written, flowery without falling into being pretentious, turning through moments of poignancy and humour, with not a small dash of political and social commentary. For those versed in poetry, there is undoubtedly a wonderful cornucopia of imagery and metaphor here. Unfortunately, as the poet himself says, the less poetically inclined audience members are often left to “shift through the rubble of his disjointed libretto”. As the world jumps around and Noble barely stops to breathe, it can be hard to follow exactly what is going on at times, and the melodic nature of poetry makes it very easy for the mind to drift and miss and important part. The show is engaging, Noble’s voice is just velvety smooth and so calming that it can sometimes be almost too disarming. It’s an odd critique to say that the poet lulls the audience to near dozing, although it is to be stressed that that is a compliment. There is one strange staging choice where the poet stops performing live and instead briefly lip syncs to a pre-recorded canto. It’s certainly done for a reason, but it’s unclear what that reason is.

Even in the bright spring sunshine, dipping inside to escape to the Underworld for an hour is still to be recommended. Individuals may find themselves as lost as the poet at some points, but the world Body 115 paints around them is well worth taking the chance.

Reviewed on 11th April 2025