Cuddles is the exciting debut production for IronClad Theatre Company.  It is a dark, comic and innovative piece of new writing by playwright Joseph Wilde emerging from The Chichester Festival Theatre and Royal Court's young Writers programs.  Cuddles won a place at The Capital Theatre Festival in Birmingham running from May 25th-27th. It then returns to The Alma Tavern Theatre in Bristol from June 19th-30th. Described by Catharine Edwards from Capital Theatre Festival as "Raw, challenging, and just a little bit bonkers', it is a rich collaboration between Bristol based and London based artists.

 “Now. We can do this the hard way or we can do this the abject, excruciating, horrifying way.”

Tabitha makes a lot of money and likes weak men. She keeps Eve safe in one room, completely under her control. Eve thinks that Tabitha is the best sister she could ever have. She gives Eve books, plays with her, and hoses her down when she’s dirty. But do either of them know what the other is truly capable of?

Taking control is easy. Knowing what to do with it, that’s the hard part.

This exciting and original play is a horrific and darkly comic cautionary tale of control. Part acerbic satire, part psychological horror and part domestic tragedy of almost Greek proportions.

Praise for Cuddles

Venue Choice

http://www.venue.co.uk/component/reviews/event/1/performance/everywhere/0/any/any/none/206988

4 Star Review Remotegoat

http://www.remotegoat.co.uk/review_view.php?uid=8656

"Keri Penford Baker portrays Eve in a superbly concentrated performance that holds attention every moment, also totally focused is Daisy Dugmore as Tabitha, switching from dominatrix to almost servile passivity with convincing ease. Together, these actors are a powerful duo....Tom Brazier has skilfully used the small square performance space, astutely designing & lighting, with Alex Berry, a versatile set... 'Cuddles' shatters expectations...Joseph Wilde has written a fine short play that will appeal to many with imagination & a lively interest in human eccentricity. 

This 100 fleeting minutes without interval will give theatre-goers satisfying food for contemplation. Runs until 30th June.

"Cuddles is frequently - and darkly - hilarious, with many a savage and memorable line... I was entertained by this, and laughed aloud several times. I liked its bold imagery and strong theatricality." Fraser Grace, (playwright)

 "Cuddles demands to be seen, heard, digested, regurgitated and then some." (Catherine Edwards, Capital Theatre Festival Director)

"Hilarious, terrifying, exciting and visceral - this is exactly what new writing should be." mac, Birmingham