A collection of three dark and delicious one act plays, “bash” explores the complexities of evil in everyday life. Made up of unforgettable personal accounts by seemingly nice people, “bash” is one of Neil LaBute’s most popular and biting plays. His signature rich, raw language fills the mouths of a woman who tells of her complex relationship with her high school teacher; a businessman, who confides in a stranger in a hotel room; and a young couple, who recount the events of an anniversary weekend.

Written in 1999, the play went on to win the Time Out Critic's Choice Award, and has enjoyed hundreds of productions all over the world.

Described as ‘a dark vision of casual atrocity’ (Harvey O’Brien, Dublin review) and ‘presenting characters who put forth a wholesome facade that masks the explosive violence underneath’ (Variety), “bash” is a disturbing journey into the inner lives of seemingly ordinary people.

Featuring Alicia McCormick (Things You Left Behind, Angels on Horseback, Mate) and Jacques Theron (Shepherds and Butchers, LOT, Babbel), “bash” is directed by Tara Notcutt (…miskien, The Three Little Pigs, Mafeking Road, Stuart Lightbody’s Sleepless Dreams) 

Media & Reviews

Review

Audience Responses

Incredibly dark material, but the cast were utterly superb! Congratulations to Tara for flawless direction and brilliant lighting design. Massive Thank You to the Alexander bar for providing the opportunity for such outstanding independent theatre in Cape Town.

Magnificent!

Very interesting and well done play. Enjoyed the expression portrayed by the cast and how the lighting was stage through the scenes.

What a dark story line.. The performances were outstanding from both of them

I had a lovely time and enjoyed the show very much.

excellent

Riveting! Great performances.

It's the first time we have been to the Alexander and we all thought it very good. Alicia McCormick gave an incredibly engrossing and disconcerting performance - exemplary.

Intense and painful but brilliant!

7

It's the first time we have been to the Alexander and we all thought it very good. Alicia McCormick gave an incredibly engrossing and disconcerting performance - exemplary.

The acting was extremely good. The content was extremely dark. Which evoked very conflicting emotions.

Absolutely fantastic show!! Loved the venue and both performances were stellar!!

Compelling and relentless in an understated way. Also a show that lingers in the mind well after being seen.

Dark subject however excellent and the thoughts lingered on long after the end !

http://www.whatson.co.za/news_read.php?id=4774&type=news

well performed, and a very powerful effect created with very minimal lighting

Of course excellent writing, that's a given, but still a pretty good stab at a decent production. Cast a little unbalanced - he's very strong, she has a little further to go; which meant that the third play was less effective than it usually is, and than the other two. It is a script which is best delivered simply, but this production possibly pared it back just a little too much - a little more thought put into light/sound design could have enhanced the production a fair amount. I'm not sure whether this production gave us anything new, but satisfying all the same.

7

It's the first time we have been to the Alexander and we all thought it very good. Alicia McCormick gave an incredibly engrossing and disconcerting performance - exemplary.

Very nuanced performances and brilliant direction. Great service at the bar. Sophie was very friendly at the door and I'm glad I could take my drink into the theatre. Thank you for a great first time experience at your space.

Incredibly dark material, but the cast were utterly superb! Congratulations to Tara for flawless direction and brilliant lighting design. Massive Thank You to the Alexander bar for providing the opportunity for such outstanding independent theatre in Cape Town.

Wow, intense, dark, real, set of plays. Congratulations.

Brilliant acting !! Thought provoking stories. Scene changes so well done. Actors deserved a standing ovation - we all thought so but reckoned that everybody was still reeling when it was over ! So we did not get a chance to cheer loudly :-) Thank you.

Funny, yet twisted. I would recommend.

So: briefly: this must be what Greek austerity is all about. Dark plays indeed when in modern context. Great writing. Not sure SA transposition works entirely. Alicia McCormick got the tone and technique dead right (heh heh), Jacques Theron less so (esp in first piece) but his gay basher powerful. Well directed by Tara N. Thanks for opportunity to see work by LaBute.

Very intense, excellent performance by both actors

Alicia McCormick's performance was outstanding. I was gripped, moved, made to reflect and horrified by her vivid storytelling. And in general, a fantastic play.

It's the first time we have been to the Alexander and we all thought it very good. Alicia McCormick gave an incredibly engrossing and disconcerting performance - exemplary.

Excellently acted and produced. Definitely will have you feeling all the feelings.

Acting was excellent. Storyline was gripping

The stories were strong and well constructed, and the actors sound. However I prefer plays when the actors interact rather than just narrate their stories.

Excellent performances by the leads. Thoroughly enjoyed the meal and show, and will be back.

Our favourite venue! Wonderful acting and storytelling. A really good night out.

I thought it was evocative and good performances. Interesting theatre. Thanks.

Incredibly dark material, but the cast were utterly superb! Congratulations to Tara for flawless direction and brilliant lighting design. Massive Thank You to the Alexander bar for providing the opportunity for such outstanding independent theatre in Cape Town.