Review: Big Shoes, The Hope Theatre

Big Shoes is Rowan Williams and Autonymic Theatre’s debut play, following two brothers in the wake of their absent father’s death and how their relationships with him and each other affect their lives and passion for comedy. This show mixes dialogue, live comedy, and the most interesting palate cleanser/audience interaction I’ve experienced to deliver a unique and utterly enjoyable experience.

The audience is greeted by the mourning brothers at the door while funereal music fills the room, setting the scene before anyone is seated. The stage itself is relatively bare, with only a couple of chairs, a table, the occasional microphone and some drinks visible. It allows the two actors to move around freely, using big gestures that add to the comedy, and to play to both sides of the stage naturally. The lighting is effective, changing only to signify a change in scenery and time. These visual aspects, while limited, give a sense of intimacy that enhances the play’s themes. 

The production explores ideas of belonging, legacy, responsibility, and commitment through some wonderful dialogue between brothers Jay (Williams) and Tom (Luke Sumner). While a comedy – and a pretty good one at that – this play takes the necessary time to reflect carefully on the themes and give them the necessary gravitas. It mostly focuses on familial relationships and the hang-ups they can entail, but it also offers some really interesting thoughts on what a life dedicated to the arts entails — the sacrifices required that not everyone can make. Without taking a harsh stance on the matter, it exudes love for the art of comedy itself.

The most enjoyable aspect of the dialogue is how familiar and raw it feels. Rather than being a long expository list, it’s like an actual conversation between two siblings, filled with equal amounts of mockery, annoyance, love, and admiration. It’s amazing to see such topics and relationships handled with grace and maturity. The natural sensation the dialogue conveys has as much to do with Williams’ fantastic writing as it does with the chemistry between him and Sumner as the brothers. The energy and way they play off each other is smooth and caring, revealing a sense of brotherhood that might be recognised by anyone with a sibling. Williams’ portrayal of the older brother has an air of detached love that comes with having left home (or rather comedy, in this specific case), while Sumner as the younger brother has the manic energy and slight resentment that comes with having stayed. These two actors fully embody a real, messy, and loving sibling relationship. 

Big Shoes takes on the challenge to deliver a show that mixes comedy, grief, serious reflections on life and art, and different styles of theatre. It succeeds in balancing all its elements and delivers a wonderful and deeply moving show.

Written by Rowan Williams
Directed by Tom Greaves
Produced by Autonymic Theatre with Isabelle Kirk

Big Shoes runs at The Hope Theatre until Saturday 12 July.