Hands Free Theatre Company: Nocturnal

1 night, 2 friends & a sticky club floor in Bristol. A brand new show devised from 1st hand experiences of spiking & consent through the lens of friendship to educate & empower.

Hands Free Theatre is our new company. We are Esther and Ella. Two young Bristolian women with a passion for performing and theatre making. We are proud to be from the South West and wanted to make this show that is representative of growing up as a young woman in Bristol. We hope it will resonate with young audiences. The content of the show comes from our first hand experiences of working in bars but also from interviews with other local women who kindly shared their stories.

This will be the show's debut performance and we are so excited for people to see it. Even though this show covers some difficult themes, we hope to explore the fun side of clubbing and immerse the audience in a nightclub aiming for people to leave feeling empowered and like they can make a change rather than hopeless at the state of the current climate.

Review:

‘Nocturnal’ – a startling debut

A new company hitting the stage with their first show with something important to say and the drive and energy to say it clearly is probably what I look forward to most at TheatreFest. I’m pleased to say that Hands Free Theatre Company did not disappoint in this regard and made a startling debut with their first show, Nocturnal.

The chemistry between the two actors is incredible, you can feel the close relationship between the characters instantly and no time is wasted in setting out who the characters are, they are so well realised that with just a few moments on stage, we understand where they are in their lives.

Two young women head out for a night on the town to have some fun, but far from frivolous antics and debauchery, this show presents a very real glimpse at just how difficult it can be to simply go out and have a good time. Well choreographed physical sequences bring the sights and sounds of the nightclub atmosphere to life, whether they are fighting for room on the crowded dance floor, or guarding each other’s privacy while using the loo, it’s clear that these two characters bring out the best in each other, and now suddenly they are having to deal with what happens when they are separated. One of the two women has already moved away to go to Uni, and as they try to deal with how that situation is affecting them, something much more dangerous appears to keep them apart.

As the two characters’ paths diverge over the course of the evening, physical sequences show us what happens to each woman, seamlessly flitting back and forth through time, revealing new information as they do so. This play deals with issues of consent, the very real dangers of spiking and what happens to the victims who find themselves suddenly so vulnerable. It is the type of performance that many would possibly describe as dark, or distressing, but where Nocturnal truly excels is by showing the light. By presenting the world of clubbing, not just how they want us to see it, but how they know it; incredibly fun and exhilarating, but sadly, currently exposed to those that would put others at risk. Nocturnal is a show that hasn’t given up, it wants women to be able to go out and have a good time, without the worry of what might go wrong and is talking directly to those who need to change their ways.

The performances from Esther and Ella are very strong, from the quieter moments between the two friends in private, to the dance sequences that see them bound across the stage, they don’t put a foot wrong. At only 30 minutes long, this show makes a real impact, and should be high on everyone’s watchlist wherever it is performed. I look forward to whatever this new company develops further or works on next.

Full list of all Fringe Extra, Barnstaple, performances here.