When the call came, idealistic Joe Bonham eagerly volunteered for the trenches of World War One. Now he has paid a price he never expected, and far away from his American homeland he struggles to come to terms with what his world has become. As his grip on reality becomes ever more tenuous he reflects on the true nature of war and the choices he made.
Metal Rabbit brings the UK premiere of Oscar-winner Dalton Trumbo’s classic anti-war novel to Southwark Playhouse in the form of Bradley Rand Smith’s Obie-winning adaptation. Starring Jack Holden (War Horse) and directed by Fringe First winner David Mercatali (Dark Vanilla Jungle), this is the perfect play to mark the centenary of World War One.
A brutal, intense one man show with an incredibly powerful message about the cruelty of war and the way the military treats those who suffer in its service.
Creatives
Director - David Mercatali
Tour Director - Gus Miller
Writer - Novel by Dalton Trumbo, adapted for the stage by Bradley Rand Smith
Sound Designer - Max Pappenheim
Lighting Designer - Christopher Nairne
Producer - George Warren for Metal Rabbit
Associate Producer - Martha Rose Wilson
Cast
Joe Bonham - Jack Holden (London), Kaffe Keating (Tour)
Reviews
★★★★ ‘A DESPERATE, RAGING POLEMIC’ WhatsOnStage
★★★★ 'JACK HOLDEN VAULTS OCTAVES OF EMOTION' Time Out
★★★★ 'JACK HOLDEN GIVES THE PERFORMANCE OF A LIFETIME' West End Frame
★★★★ 'JACK HOLDEN GIVES A STUNNING PERFORMANCE AS JOE' The Arts Desk
★★★★ 'A TRULY EXCELLENT PIECE OF THEATRE' Everything Theatre
★★★★★ 'HOLDEN HOLDS THE AUDIENCE EXPERTLY IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND' The Public Reviews
'DAVID MERCATALI'S ADROIT STAGING IS FULL OF PAIN AND RAGE' The Guardian
'IT'S A KNOCKOUT' British Theatre Guide
'HOLDEN IS WONDERFULLY LIKEABLE AND COMPELLING' The PostScript Journal
‘TOUR DE FORCE’ A Younger Theatre
‘HOLDEN’S SOLO PERFORMANCE IS A TURNING POINT IN HIS CAREER’ Mature Times
