★★★★ Time Out
Posted on 27 February 2020
"Powerful drama about a young woman’s reckoning with a toxic past relationship."
Box office: 020 7978 7040
Produced by Emily Carewe, 45North and Theatre503
When Max pays Ronan a visit at his restaurant in Dublin, he’s determined to prove to her how far he’s come, but she’s got something bigger to discuss. Over the course of one wine-soaked evening, old wounds are exposed and new truths uncovered. MEAT is a story of class, consent and how modern Ireland reckons with the transgressions buried in its past. How can one couple navigate their shared history when their memories don’t quite match up?
Written by playwright and dramaturg Gillian Greer, MEAT was a finalist in Theatre503’s International Playwriting Award in 2018, reaching the top 5 of 2,055 plays submitted from 49 countries. Directed by Lucy Jane Atkinson and produced by Emily Carewe, this production is presented as a co-production with 45North.
Age guidance 14+
Running time: 75 minutes, no interval
CONTENT WARNING
This production contains discussions of consent and rape, graphic descriptions of sexual assault, and content relating to eating disorders. If you feel the themes in this production might cause you distress, you are welcome to call the box office on 020 7978 7040 for further details about the production.
We are excited to announce we are being supported by Solace Women’s Aid. Solace support women and children in London to build safe lives and strong futures, free from domestic and sexual violence and abuse.
15 Feb 2pm ACCESSIBLE DRESS REHEARSAL: Dress Rehearsal Run of the show at Soho Theatre which is accessible to wheelchair-users using the elevator to reach the theatre spaces. Email emily@emilycarewe.com to reserve your spot. Please note this run through will have limited set and props.
4 March 12pm PARENT & BABY: Similar to our Relaxed Performance in terms of technical alterations, but provided as an opportunity for parents and/or guardians to enjoy a spot of theatre without the need to hire a babysitter. Please note, we do not exclude other audience members from booking to see this performance.
4 March 7.30pm RELAXED: For anyone who benefits from a more relaxed performance environment. House lights are left up with audience free to exit and reenter as required. Sound levels are reduced and any strobe / ‘flashing light’ effects will be omitted also.
10 March 6pm PRE-SHOW TOUCH TOUR: An opportunity for audience members who would benefit from making themselves familiar with the set before the performance.
10 March 7.30pm AUDIO DESCRIBED : A performance accompanied by audio description.
Introductory Notes for MEAT can be downloaded here or listened to below:
12 March 7.30pm BSL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE: A performance accompanied by a British Sign Language Interpreter.
13 March POST SHOW DISCUSSION: Discussing consent within the industry. Join representatives from Solace Women’s Aid along with members of the MEAT creative team and industry intimacy directors as we discuss the ways in which consent works in the rehearsal room and in theatres.
Gillian Greer
Gillian is a playwright and dramaturg from Dublin who has seen her work performed in The Abbey in Dublin, The Traverse in Edinburgh and all manner of London fringe venues, including Theatre503.
Her debut play PETALS was nominated for the Irish Times Theatre Award for Best New Play in 2015 and was recently adapted for radio. As a dramaturg, she has worked at The National Theatre, VAULT Festival, Clean Break Theatre Company, The Mercury Theatre and many more. She was recently appointed Literary Manager of The Soho Theatre.
"Powerful drama about a young woman’s reckoning with a toxic past relationship."
"We'd strongly advise that you don't miss this thoroughly engaging and nuanced work about people caught up in questions that are unfortunately often trivialised by their over simplification."
"It is messy and it is complicated and it leaves collateral damage."
"A knotty, sinewy, layered meal of a play."
"Gillian Greer’s new play navigates the subject of sexual consent with unflinching honesty."
"It looks slick, sounds wonderful and, as the title suggests, it has plenty of meat on its bones."
