A taught thriller with a surprising amount of humour, Man or Bear asks you to come face to face with the potential threat of violence that could lurk in the shadows – or be right in front of you.
Co-created by Katie Hurley and Sarah Hehir, Man or Bear is a confronting black comedy that is never quite what it seems. Inspired by the viral question, “Would you rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear?”, this skilfully written play examines the relationships between three women and the men who may pose a risk to each of them.
Through workshops with female-identifying participants from Croydon and Medway, the writers utilised first-hand research and accounts in its development. Rather than shying away from the subject of violence against women, this production directly confronts it, culminating in an impactful and memorable piece of theatre that will stay with you long afterwards.
Mum Paige (Hurley) has moved with her teenage daughter Angel (Amaia Naima Aguinaga) into a flat belonging to kindly churchgoer Connie (Lesley Ewen), and there is a strong suggestion that they have fled difficult circumstances. Each represents the female archetypes: Mother, Virgin, Crone – the three stages in a woman’s life. They are therefore every woman, and like them every woman has a story to tell.
Initially presented in the form of a radio play with each woman on a separate mic, the piece starts lyrically and full of foreshadowing. Expertly directed by Ursula Martinez, as the story develops so does the movement and interplay between the actors, and the audience is drawn in by the warmth between the characters as well as the sense of foreboding that drives the narrative and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Hurley gives a strong, heartfelt performance as Paige, balancing an underlying sense of anxiety with positivity and gentleness. Aguinaga brings superb energy and subtlety to the role of Angel, and the relationship between the two women is genuine and relatable. Ewen is outstanding in the role of Connie, an older woman discovering love with a lifelong female friend who finds her relationship with her church challenged as a result. Her shift into the role of Sam is so quietly ominous that it genuinely raises the hairs on your neck. The scenes that take place with all three women are particularly joyful and the connections sincere, built on text that is full of pace, humour and grit.
With inequality rising and misogyny thriving, Man or Bear is a vital play that poses difficult questions about coercive control, sexual violence and homophobia. With exceptional performances, writing and direction, this is a piece that deserves to be seen by the widest of audiences.
By Deborah Klayman
Man or Bear plays at Summerhall, Edinburgh until August 30th 2026.
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