First reviews are in for Michael Southan’s “comical, heart-warming and enlightening” debut play Kerbs. The new comedy about dating whilst disabled, inspired by Southan’s own experiences, is co-produced by Graeae, the UK’s leading disabled-led theatre company, and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, where it premiered last week.
Kerbs now tours to Unity Theatre, Liverpool (9-12 March); Cast, Doncaster (16-18 March); Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough (23-26 March) and the Drum at Theatre Royal Plymouth (30 March-2 April).
Lucy and David are dating. Or at least, they’re trying to. Faced with first-date disasters, a few crossed wires and Lucy’s mum, what they really need is a bit of space, a bit of fun – and ideally some independence.
Escaping for the weekend to a caravan park in Somerset, it’s time for them to find out if their spark will finally catch, or burn everything to the ground.
The premiere production stars Maya Coate,Jack Hunter and Rekha John-Cheriyan. It’s directed by Nickie Miles-Wildin anddesigned is Amanda Mascarenhas. Kerbs is a co-production between the Belgrade Theatre and Graeae, marking the beginning of Graeae’s 40th anniversary year. It features Graeae’s signature integrated creative captioning and audio description at every show.
Show trailer
Review highlights
Behind the Arras
Liz Leck: “This much-anticipated co-production between Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Graeae played to a highly appreciative audience and it did not disappoint with Graeae’s reputation for delivering powerful, challenging and thought-provoking productions remaining well and truly intact… An open, honest and humorous portrayal.”
Mark Fisher: “A couple with disabilities find their witty dating-app personas are at odds with real life in this charming romcom… Southan writes with tenderness, while Coates and Hunter earn their finale fireworks as they go charmingly from emotionally fragile to sexually fulfilled.”
Sonali Shah: “Kerbs smashes the disability-dating-sex taboo and brings a refreshingly honest understanding of the interplay between online dating, love, sex and the added extras that come with being a disabled person… A very important piece of theatre, made accessible to everyone.”
Sue Beech: “The cast of three are outstanding: Rekha John-Cheriyan portrays two very different characters with aplomb, while Maya Coates and Jack Hunter are like all young people looking for love – or at least for some fun, and maybe a good lay… Enormously engaging and enjoyable.”
Nicole Craft: “Kerbs does what it promises. It tells a simple story of young love, disability and the difficulties faced when the two combine, and it does so in a funny, raunchy manner… Many laugh-out-loud moments, all taking place around the clever, multipurpose set.”
Sophie Eaton: “The star of the show is the set. The design by Amanda Mascarenhas is simplistic, yet is able to adapt… This wonderfully inclusive show caters for all needs… The diverse audience reflected this inclusivity, some with visible disabilities themselves… This show truly is one of a kind.”
Michael Davis: “Ask anybody about the rights of disabled people and most would say in principle that they should be given every opportunity to live life to the fullest. But given this assumption, why is so hard to imagine that they are interested in dating – and all that that entails?”
Freya Batstone: “This comical, heart-warming, and enlightening play about the journey into a new relationship sheds a light on the politics of modern dating… Brings to the stage something so often left behind closed doors… It is impossible not to connect with the cast, who bring such warmth to the stage.”
Fisola Kelly-Akinnuoye: “I really appreciated that there was a movement and intimacy director… It is visible in the action of the play that time and care was taken into constructing the intimate moments. The approach was delicate, honest and raw… A vital lesson in loving and caring.”
“This performance is so current which was lovely to feel rather connected to, but I also love how the couple want to live their lives and not let their disabilities stop them from doing so… It was just hilarious but also made you think.”
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MyTheatreMates works with a select number of high-quality London and regional productions on Featured Content campaigns. If you'd like your show content featured on our website and social media channels, contact us.
