Disposable starts off like your favourite sitcom – think Friends but with dance breaks – before pulling the rug out from under you in the second half. Written by Becky Bond (who also stars as Megan and executive produces), this play takes you on a journey from laughs to something much darker and more uncomfortable. And that's exactly the point.
The first act is pure fun. Five housemates navigate their messy lives together with quick wit and even quicker dance breaks. Yes, there are dance moments, and yes, they're brilliant. Director Elodie Foray has crafted something that feels genuinely warm and lived-in – you could easily imagine tuning in to watch these characters every week. Each of the five comes alive: Jacob (Paddy Lintin), Megan (Becky Bond), Lucy (Amaarah Roze), Sam (Sukey Willis), and Will (William Huke). They banter, they laugh, they feel like people you might actually know.
But then the second act arrives, and everything shifts. Suddenly, we're asking the question: "Did he do that?" The mood turns darker as the play digs into different perspectives on the same event. What one person remembers, another disputes. What felt consensual to one character felt like something else to another. It's uncomfortable viewing – but it's meant to be.
What makes Disposable work so well is its refusal to offer easy answers. This isn't a play that points fingers or wraps everything up neatly. Instead, it shows how sexual abuse can be subtle and complicated. It demonstrates that consent isn't always a simple yes or no – it exists in grey areas that our culture still struggles to talk about honestly.
The cast handles this shift brilliantly. Moving from comedy to drama could feel jarring, but they make it work because the characters stay real throughout. You believe these people, which makes the darker moments hit even harder.
Disposable is an important play for right now. It tackles modern dating and consent in a way that feels genuine rather than preachy. The first act pulls you in with humour and heart, while the second act makes you think – and maybe squirm a little. That's what good theatre should do.
Yes, the transition can feel a bit abrupt, and the second act could be a bit tighter and more concise. But this is a strong piece of new writing that deserves your attention. Becky Bond has created something that's both entertaining and challenging, and this talented cast brings it to life with energy and truth.
It runs until 9 November.
Photos: Noelle Vaughn