Review: Milked, White Bear Theatre
A playful and lively dark comedy which goes almost too far to engage, Simon Longman’s Milked poses the serious question – is it easier to kill a cow than to get a job these days?summary
Rating
Good
A cow needs to be killed. And two very confused university grads seem to be the only ones capable of doing it.
With a small cast but gargantuan themes, Simon Longman’s Milked delivers a solid dose of laughs in this absurdist comedic tale of two job-seeking friends, Paul and Snowy, and their quest to save a dying cow, Sandy. Showing at the White Bear Theatre, the play juxtaposes shocking scenes of violence – where Paul and Snowy resort to increasingly extreme methods to euthanise Sandy – with fits of laughter, as their attempts fail in colourful, panto-style flops. These chaotic moments are made even more poignant by Paul and Snowy’s despair as they navigate unemployment and questions of identity post-university.
Paul, played by Iwan Bond, is a recent university graduate drowning in disillusionment over his bleak job prospects as a history major. His futile job hunt is interrupted by his best friend, Snowy (Evan L. Barker), who recruits him to save a dying cow he found near his father’s field. The friends’ efforts to save Sandy escalate from using “special cow medicine” (inserted in a place you wouldn’t want to imagine) to dousing her in gasoline and setting her alight. Surprisingly, this Fawkesian plot twist was far more uncomfortable to watch than the former – whether this discomfort reflects a success or failure of the comedic writing is debatable. Regardless, while the quality of the writing and performances occasionally play hide-and-seek, Bond and Barker’s sparky chemistry breathe life into the dialogue, thoroughly endearing them to the audience.
A particular strength of the production lies in its playful interaction with the fourth wall. From acting within the stalls to feeding grass to audience members (some more willing to accept the snack than others), David Bond’s direction maximises the limited space and builds a level of audience engagement that flirts dangerously close to awkwardness, leaning fully into the absurdity of the plot. The lighting, designed by Trekessa Austin, supports this effort beautifully, following the characters’ gazes into the audience. Meanwhile, Mim Houghton’s set design creates zones of visual interest that draw the eye while leaving enough space for unexpected dance sequences. This cohesive approach is most striking during Snowy’s phone calls with his mother: the theatre plunges into darkness, leaving an anxious Snowy illuminated on a ratty sofa in a beam of light, while an endless ringing tone fills every corner of the space.
Ultimately, Milked is a chaotic yet endearing exploration of friendship, failure, and the uncertainties of post-university life. While it doesn’t provide all the answers or metaphors one might expect, its combination of slapstick comedy and poignant moments leaves a lasting impression. Simon Longman’s play invites its audience to embrace the messiness of life – unemployment, cows and all.
Written by: Simon Longman
Directed by: David Bond
Produced by: Shed/VOX
Sound design by: Lewi Scott-Morris
Original music by: Leo Baby
Milked plays at the White Bear theatre until 25 January. Further information and tickets available here.