Cuddles

for a previous production "Joseph Wilde's debut play may not be a case of love at first bite, but it's certainly distinctive...Wilde creates a convincing closed world, but the fact that we never really see life outside lessens its impact, and the undertow of abuse and the play's sexual politics are under explored. But it's a reminder that there are many kinds of vampiric behavior, and the finale sends you out into the dark with a shiver." Full Review

for a previous production "Many a play purports to send chills down the spine but precious few actually manage the act of setting the hairs on end with moments of genuine chilling revelation. But Cuddles, Joseph Wilde’s first full-length play managed just that with its pervasive air of dark fantasy gone wrong and one of the most shocking moments one will probably see all year in a theatre...a flawed gem of a production that won’t be easily forgotten." Full Review

for a previous production "What could be extremely unpleasant to witness is lightened by flashes of black humour and the richness of Wilde’s language and invention...Wilde doesn’t attempt to offer solutions but he certainly raises lots of questions." Full Review

for a previous production "A lot of this play is genuinely, brutally shocking – these magical sisters aren’t Charmed or charming, and the piece is more of an exploration of the abuser-abused dynamic than of the vampire myth. Although the horrifying revelations are evenly spaced and punctuated with lashings of black humour, the atmosphere can feel grindingly bleak...still, "Cuddles" impressively transforms the most stylish of scary stories into something rough, grubby and grotesquely hilarious." Full Review

for a previous production "Arch 468 aims to make challenging theatre and "Cuddles" certainly delivers that brief. Whether its message is a little too heavy-handed and its drama a little too one-paced may be debatable. What's not debatable is the commitment shown by two actors with their emotions dialed up to 10 for over an hour without a break." Full Review

for a previous production "Tautly directed against a sickening, flyblown design, ‘Cuddles’ is a smart and gruesome gothic tale that reveals Wilde as a writer with a great deal of confidence and nerve...This is a full-blooded drama with ferocious bite." Full Review

for a previous production "Those who came to this production expecting blood, gore and stereotype won’t be too disappointed. Young Eve is afraid of garlic and crosses, and she has quite a bite, but Wilde rigorously unpicks the formulae of adolescent fiction, tearing notions and themes out of the books and exposing their dirty horror. With characters that dip between naturalism and the supernatural, "Cuddles" embraces its fictionality and lets its blurred boundaries enrich a very unusual coming of age narrative." Full Review

for a previous production "Cuddles is less fantasy and more a documentation of disillusionment - and its methods work well. Wilde, like his namesake, is a dab hand at comic one-liners, managing to negotiate comedy and tragedy with force which feels classic in origin...Staging the horror of child imprisonment could so easily misfire, but, despite the conclusion, Wilde largely succeeds. This is thanks to brilliant writing and experimental uses of fantasy - which juggle comedy and tragedy alongside delusion and reality." Full Review

for a previous production "Fantastic theatre...In general, there are but a few small flaws in a pretty polished work. Joseph Wilde’s first full length play is full of beautifully whimsical language and poetic images, but also some sharp ones that jar and challenge. Though it provides few clear answers for the issues it raises, it’s a thought provoking, well acted and emotionally affecting play." Full Review

for a previous production "Wilde’s writing is simply fantastic. It’s fast-paced, funny and fresh. The traded barbs between sisters are exquisite, perfectly capturing sisterly love and frustrationin equal measure...Probably not one for the very squeamish, "Cuddles" is a wonderful modern morality tale. We are left wondering whether it is those who believe in fairy tales and monsters who are misguided, or the ones that create the stories who are the beasts in the night...You should see this play." Full Review

for a previous production "Wilde’s play is complex and intelligent, billed as a response to the London riots and the consumerism that partly fueled them. The problem that the consumerism allegory is almost completely lost under the sheer weight of metaphors he has tried to pack in...Wilde clearly knows how to write strong and intriguing characters and isn’t afraid to tackle big themes. Nonetheless, the script needs to be refined if he wishes to make his point clear, because as it is, "Cuddles" doesn’t have enough bite." Full Review

for a previous production "Cuddles is certainly not as sweet at it sounds. This striking debut full-length play from Joseph Wilde is executed with great skill...A climax that genuinely sent shivers down my spine...an interesting new voice in Joseph Wilde, and this debut sets him off on his way well." Full Review

for a previous production "The play delights in shocking its audience, and while some of the more jaw-dropping moments feel justified and well-earned, there are some moments that feel provocative for provocative’s sake...Writer Joseph Wilde delivers an arresting debut and writes with panache, but it suffers slightly on account of its own fearlessness. That being said, it seems likely he will go from strength to strength and I look forward to his next production." Full Review

for a previous production "Exposing the flipside of fairytales and presenting a new, horrific take on the princess in the tower...The tone is as dark as the humour, and both combine to create a compelling and convincing world that doesn’t lie so far outside the bounds of credibility...the play is a twisted allegory on creation and conception – adding a new take on the body horror of stories like Frankenstein and Alien. "Cuddles" is a worthy and chilling member of this tradition." Full Review

for a previous production "Funny, touching and incredibly intense, this is new writing at its best...Cuddles incorporates several playwriting styles and will certainly appeal to a wide audience. It is written by Joseph Wilde who has a wicked sense of humour matched with a sharp understanding of human nature. It is great to see a show which explores our humanity through an exciting supernatural storyline, while also maintaining high production values and a rich wealth of talent across the board." Full Review