Review: Ten in the Bed, Half Moon Theatre

Review: Ten in the Bed, Half Moon Theatre

Steve Tasane is often found in the world of writing for young adults, but here he joins forces with the Half Moon Theatre to produce Ten in the Bed, a story that warmly explores the benefits of imagination, friendship and play, even when the world is at its most daunting.

Naz and Iggy are friends; children staying in a detention centre. They share a past as both are refugees who have experienced challenging journeys to seek safety. Now they have time to play, examining their feelings and revealing their stories as they do so. There were at one time ten children in their room, but eight have moved on, although their presence remains, represented by individual pillows named for each of them. The pillows are a reminder to Naz and Iggy of the importance of found family and the blessings of friendship.

Hari Kang as Naz and Hayden Mampasi as Iggy are wonderfully energetic, throwing themselves into the imaginary world of two young boys. And it’s a very sensory world, beautifully described in Tasane’s descriptive dialogue. The cakes and sweets the children dream of having are so vividly drawn you can almost taste them; yet the sense of deprivation for these young refugees is tangible.

The boys’ play stretches from silly pillow fights to pirates, yet at times they evoke danger, with sharks swimming around them, raising the topic of how fear leads to difficult decisions. We’re offered thoughts on what it is to be a refugee as experiences of their past are carefully woven into the play, and asked to consider questions such as who gets to stay in the bed? What are the ethics of throwing someone out to make space? The refrain “if we all move over there’s enough room for everyone” recurs to underscore an important message of tolerance and the question “What can you do?” is so much more than a throwaway comment – it’s a quiet call to arms.

Sorcha Corcoran’s flexible set design gives a reminder of the damaged towns that might be left behind by fleeing refugees, and allows the boys to create structures from mattresses and pillows, including a boat. Pirate swords, hats and toy houses are made from recycled cardboard. This works well and it would be nice to see a little more of this creativity in the show. In parallel with sympathetic lighting design by Emily Walls, Mark Newnham‘s music creates subtly shifting atmospheres, although the ‘Ten in the Bed’ song feels a little like it’s still finding its rhythm within the narrative.

Ultimately, it’s a positive tale with lots of smiles for a young audience. It shows hope as a tool of resilience, play as therapy and a connective device. Even though there are intimidating adults controlling the boys’ lives, there are still moments of kindness, seen through them being given donated toys, and they themselves thinking constantly of others, of personal qualities and the good in people. A lesson for us all.

This is a production that will really come in to its own in post-show discussion, with family and friends or in a school environment. It has deep questions woven in, which aren’t overwhelming but definitely prompt further conversation. And it’s a beautiful example of reimagining a difficult world through friendship and fun to make it a better place.

Written by: Steve Tasane
Directed by: Chris Elwell
Design by: Sorcha Corcoran
Sound Design and Composed by: Mark Newnham
Technical Stage Manager and Assistant Director: Rori Endersby
Lighting Designer and Production Manager: Emily Walls
Produced by: Half Moon Theatre

Ten in the Bed is aimed at ages 3-8 and runs at the Half Moon Theatre until Tuesday 11 June before touring in London and beyond. Details can be found here.