Men Don’t Talk
★★★★☆ Compelling
Scottish Storytelling Centre: Sat 16/Sun 17 Nov 2024
Review by Allan Wilson
Clare Prenton and Genesis Theatre’s Men Don’t Talk is a compelling introduction to the idea of the Men’s Shed Movement, staged in the Netherbow Theatre as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, in partnership with Scottish Men’s Shed Association and Luminate.
The movement began in Australia in the 1980s and has since spread across the world, reaching the UK in 2011. It provides a space for men (and increasingly women) to come together to make things, learn new skills and openly discuss their lives to the benefit of their mental health.
Dougal Lee, Billy Mack and Greg Powrie in Men Don’t Talk. Pic: Jess Shurte
Men Don’t Talk introduces the work of the Shed through the experiences of three regular attendees, Tom, Jimmy and Ken, each of whom has a solo spot to talk about themselves early in the show. These introductions are only partial, however, with much more depth to the individual characters, and how they have been helped by the Shed revealed as the show progresses.
Tom, played by Greg Powrie with a quiet confidence and gentle wit, worked in finance until he retired and has been a regular at the Shed since the previous summer, earning the respect of the other users of the space.
His plans for a comfortable retirement with lots of travel were shattered by the sudden death of his wife, but he has found friendship and a new purpose in life through the Shed. Much of his back-story and the impact of the Shed’s ‘help through stealth’ approach is revealed through brief conversations with random members of the audience.
vulnerability
Emerging from the audience, Billy Mack skilfully portrays Jimmy with a broad spectrum of emotions, switching from a brash, outgoing comedy to moments of vulnerability, as he reveals that he is a recovering alcoholic, no longer has contact with his wife and children, and is still affected by PTSD following military service in Northern Ireland. After a chaotic life with many jobs, the Shed has helped Jimmy prove to himself that he is good at something – and it is ‘safer than doon the pub’!
Billy Mack in Men Don’t Talk. Pic: Jess Shurte
Dougal Lee portrays Ken as a slightly authoritarian figure, who has appointed himself the ‘unofficial welcoming committee’ and tea maker for the Shed. He became a teacher, after a military career, and was ill-prepared for retirement, as many of his friends had died at an early age and he had expected a similar fate. He strongly believes that Men’s Sheds should just be for men – “the clue is in the name”, he says, while rebelling against ideas of well-being and the excessive spread of happy health posters.
Ken’s more compassionate side comes out firstly, when Tom and Jimmy sympathise with his struggle to look after his wife, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s, and when, after Jimmy reveals the trauma he experienced in Northern Ireland, Ken slips him a card and invites him to phone him if he ever needs to chat about this.
significant creative team
There is a significant creative team behind Men Don’t Talk, led by writer and director Clare Prenton with producer Michelle McKay. Designer Frances Collier, lighting designer Kate Bonney, sound designer John Kielty, and AD Kirstin McLean all contribute much to an excellent production. There was also input to the show from Touring Production Manager Natalie Welch, Technician Becky Kirkness, Set Build Peebles & District Men’s Shed, Mike Collier-Pricket, Carpenter Peter Marchant, and Scenic Artist Casey Campbell.
Dougal Lee in Men Don’t Talk. Pic: Jess Shurte
Men Don’t Talk provides an informative, witty, and often moving, glimpse into the work of the Men’s Shed movement to support the mental health of men (and, increasingly, women). Rather than take a broader look at the work of the movement, Prenton has chosen to focus on the lives of three composite characters, whose combined experiences reflect the positive impact that it has had on the mental health and general wellbeing of thousands of people who have become involved with Men’s Sheds.
Running time: One hour and 20 minutes (no interval)
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Netherbow Theatre, 43-45 High St, EH1 1SR.
Sat 16/Sun 17 Nov 2024.
Sat: 7.30pm; Sun: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.
Greg Powrie in Men Don’t Talk. Pic: Jess Shurte
ENDS
Ground breaking piece of theatre helping shed the light on the seldom realised and spoken about inner workings of men. This cleverly crafted and more importantly accurate emotional 1000 piece jigsaw of masculinity is put together by a brilliant and talented cast of three men. Join your local Men’s Shed and have a better quality life… it says what is on the tin… the magic ingredient comes from the Shedders