Fledgling Theatre present the world premiere of new comedy Neck or Nothing this spring, as part of Pleasance’s You Will Know Their Names new writing season before transferring to Greenwich Theatre Studio. This funny and poignant play, Fledgling’s latest show, shines a light on the under-reported issue of men’s mental health.
Neck or Nothing follows Jens, a self-taught inventor, as he obsesses over creating the most important technological advancement in history: a giant suit to fight bears. But Jens’ attempts to achieve his dream and become what he views as the masculine ideal aren’t living up to expectations. Neck or Nothing follows one man’s spiral into obsession and isolation, exploring what happens when mental health issues are left unassisted.
Through the lens of this surrealist comedy inspired by the 1996 cult documentary Project Grizzly, Neck or Nothing highlights the lack of support available for men. Fledgling Theatre are partnering with CALMzone to help further the conversation around men’s mental health issues, including PTSD and depression.
Callum Cameron, co-writer and co-director, comments, We are thrilled to bring Neck or Nothing to Pleasance and Greenwich theatres this spring. Neck Or Nothing is a poignant, off-beat comedy presented with the same unique, surrealist humour of many of our previous productions. It explores the themes of escapism, trauma and the fantasies we construct to deal with them. It’s Robocop meets Flowers.
The brilliant cast features James Murfitt (Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Sh*tfaced Shakespeare, Leicester Square, Edinburgh Fringe, Adelaide Fringe; Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, Antic Disposition, UK Tour, Theatre National Nice; Well and Badly Loved, Oval House Theatre) Katy Daghorn (The Play That Goes Wrong, West End; Burke and Hare, Jermyn Street/The Watermill; The Sunset Five, Pleasance Theatre; Mind Hackers, BBC Radio 4), and David North (Jericho Creek, Cockpit Theatre; Romeo and Juliet, Custom/Practice UK tour; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Middle Temple Hall; The Seven Funerals of Charlie Morris, Arcola Theatre).
Fledgling Theatre present Neck or Nothing with the generous support of Arts Council England, Theatr Clwyd Artists TYFU/Grow Programme, Pleasance Theatre and Greenwich Theatre.
Neck or Nothing will run at Pleasance Theatre, Tuesday 23 April – Saturday 4 May, and Greenwich Theatre Studio, Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 May 2019.
