Shed: Exploded View starts with a beautifully lit shed centre stage, the cast enters and removes a piece of the shed away until we discover Abi (Norah Lopez Holden) lying on the floor. I think within that moment without a word being said it set the tone for the rest of the evening sombre and raw.

A unique way to start this play which was filled with emotion throughout, the odd awkward laugh and joke yet under the service you could feel a serious undertone percolating.

The characters consist of three couples; Lil (Hayley Carmichael) and Tony (Wil Johnson) who play our older married couple. Naomi (Lizzy Watts) and Frank (Jason Hughes) our middle-aged couple have a daughter called Abi who is in our final couple with Mark (Michael Workeye).

Thankfully the Exchange has a screen which would show the year from the 1990’s to the modern day as the story was non-linear, constantly jumping from different years and stories intertwining.

It was confusing at times, this became more apparent when dialogues and characters would crossover into each other’s stories with a word or sentence.

At times it worked really well and then others it didn’t land. I do believe this will get better with each performance as it is such a tough skill to master and the flow of this play is sporadic.

Each couple has its highs and lows, the deeper we get into the play you could feel the tension build in each character and relationship the words “my life is shit” constantly repeated.

One of the highlights was the relationship between mother and daughter Naomi and Abi. The bond was clear with the help of the classic hit by the Princess of Pop Britney Spears “Hit Me Baby One More Time”, a choreographed comedic routine. Yet even then you could feel that the words were meant in a totally different connotation.

Each relationship is tried and tested whether it be loss of health, job, money, baby, patience and sadly Love.

The theme of domestic abuse is clear throughout and at times quite unnerving, the acting for these moments was superb, you can see why it was awarded a Bruntwood prize in 2019

Naomi pushing Frank and the constant abuse physical and mental between Mark and Abi was heartbreaking. The words of Lil to both mother and daughter to walk away were really poignant moments that will leave all audience members affected.

This is not a play to lift the spirits but does evoke emotion in a totally different way. Hopefully it will help people talk and raise awareness about domestic violence. I would encourage people to see it. It is harrowing at times and I could imagine it could upset even the strongest of stomachs.The stage was in motion at times moving in different directions, which hindered the performances particularly during monologues.

The characters would write in chalk buzz words from each scene. It did distract at times as you were trying to read the line or word whilst keeping up with the other actors in the scene.

Shed: Exploded View was a good play and well acted, I thought the cast were brilliant at times. The themes in this play are real and sadly prevalent today, I encourage you to go watch the play and make your own mind up. We need to support new plays and ones that strike a nerve especially. I believe the Royal Exchange have created an after care resource which i think is a touch of class. I always enjoy going to The Royal Exchange the staff and venue are superb.

⭐️⭐️⭐️