Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead – Nottingham Playhouse

Writer: Olga Tokarczuk

Director: Simon McBurney

Humans have always had a tenuous relationship with nature – sometimes working in partnership, but more often in opposition. What happens when we forego the traditions of partnership and opt for domination and destruction? The inhabitants of a rural town in Poland bordering the Czech Republic are forced to come to terms with these questions in Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead.

This latest piece by internationally renowned Complicité, adapted from the novel of the same name by Olga Tokarczuk, utilises the recognisably surrealist style which has kept audiences enthralled since the company’s foundation in 1983. Their distinct ensemble approach, influenced by physical theatre and mime is well suited to this story. At first, we are greeted by an older woman, Janina Duszejko (Amanda Hadingue), who speaks to the audience using a microphone on a stand placed at the front and centre of the stage. She is endearing and sharp-edged, caring and cunning. As the lights fade on the audience, they raise on an almost bare stage, featuring Hadingue, a few chairs, and the ensemble of ten actors.

Ms Duszejko tells of her inclusion in the discovery and re-dignifying of a neighbour she clearly disliked. She renames people based on early impression – so each character has a uniquely telling name – and Bigfoot, this hated neighbour is no different. Duszejko and Oddball (her preferred neighbour) discover that Bigfoot choked on a small bone from a deer he had brutally killed in the forest. Duszejko also thinks he had a hand in the disappearance of her “little girls.” She further unravels the despicable behaviour exhibited towards animals in this small town, incriminating the members of the hunting club, who all become victim to questionable deaths. Are the animals taking a stand, fighting for justice? What really happened to Duszejko’s precious family? And will the hate she has for these men and their practices overcome her?

McBurney has crafted a compelling show, made possible by the wit of Tokarczuk’s book, the strength of the ensemble, and the expert combination of sound, lighting, and video design (by Christopher Shutt, Paule Constable, and Dick Straker respectively). Use of projection and minimal set elements, paired with excellent physicality and touches of mime allows the audience to experience Duszejko’s anger, sadness, and her intricate connection with those about whom she cares. A particularly memorable moment is when Duszejko runs into a former student, who is so overcome at their meeting that he kneels with relief to hug her. Their connection is captivating and infuses the play with a selection of William Blake quotes. Despite the poeticism, if, upon entering the show, you’ve never thought about becoming vegetarian, this experience should influence you otherwise.

There is an evident message to this play from the very beginning: humans’ relationship with nature and animals must change. This divisive topic is passionately presented in the vilification of the patriarchal, controlling, hunting club – but Duszejko’s side is not clear of fault. This is a warning about the more horrific repercussions of nature truly fighting back against human domination.

In the programme, McBurney advocates for further action, calling for the addition of ecocide to international criminal law (learn more at www.stopecocide.earth). Whether you’re a passionate vegan, obstinate carnivore, or simply a fan of Complicité, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead is a powerful, evocative show worth experiencing.

Runs until: 8 April 2023 and on tour