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David is gay, disabled and profoundly horny. He can't eat, drink or shower by himself – or wank. Totally inexperienced, he embarks on a sexual and romantic odyssey, armed with a fierce brain, and dick pics that he has to get someone to take.
Can he keep it casual whilst also relying on round-the-clock care? And will he manage the thrill and uncertainty of random hook-ups after a lifetime of knockbacks?
Animal is a hilarious, challenging and heartbreaking play by Jon Bradfield, from a story by Bradfield and Josh Hepple. It won the inaugural Through the Mill Playwriting Prize, was shortlisted for the Papatango Prize, and was first performed at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, and Park Theatre, London, in 2023.
“What a joy to discover a play that is so bold, so outspoken and so thoroughly unpredictable... Angry and mischievous, droll and unforgettably poignant. Deserves to be seen on a bigger stage as soon as possible.”—The Times
“Hard-hitting but wildly entertaining comedy. It's marvelous to find something that deals with so many Big and Important themes in such a breezy, confident way.”—Time Out
“A bold and brilliant new queer comedy. Absolutely hilarious. Will resonate with anyone who's experienced the world of modern dating.”—Gay Times
“An exceptional piece of theatre... uniquely brilliant in its sensitive foregrounding of a disabled protagonist... searingly insightful, soulfully intimate and utterly hilarious.”—The Upcoming
“Hilarious and extremely entertaining... David is a complex and flawed character, and his sarcastic quips and rude sense of humor are always a hit... a gem.”—Reviews Hub
“An excellent piece of socially engaged theatre that educates and entertains in equal measure... brutal honesty delivered with raw empathy... Animal is, simply put, a great play.”—Broadway World
“Unmissable... a whirlwind of an adventure, combining both intense emotional heartache and literal laugh out loud moments... an exceptional piece of work that hits all the right spots.”—Everything Theatre
“Insightful, funny and quietly heartbreaking.”—WhatsOnStage
“A wonderful experience... a barrier breaking, provocative exposé on sexual equality, full of humor, grit and filth... refreshing, necessary and compelling.”—The Theatre Talk
“A hilarious, laugh-out-loud comedy, which at the same time punches you straight in the gut... eye opening, heart-warming and deliciously funny... a wonderfully written, clever, witty stage play.”—North West End
“Bold, brave and brilliant... a truly vital piece of theatre that everyone should see.”—Frankly My Dear
“Hilarious and heart-breaking... It is truly refreshing to see a fleshed-out disabled main character who is allowed to be complex and flawed and human... captivating.”—I Love Manchester
Jon Bradfield is a playwright, theatre marketer and graphic designer. His plays include: Animal, co-written with Josh Hepple (Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester/Park Theatre London, 2023); and A Hard Rain, co-written with Martin Hooper (Above the Stag Theatre, 2014).
Other work includes several adult pantomimes for Above The Stag Theatre, co-written with Martin Hooper; a contribution to Queers (Old Vic and BBC Four, 2017); and several sketches for the long-running News Revue at the Canal Cafe Theatre.
Josh Hepple is a writer, activist, lecturer and disability equality trainer who has severe cerebral palsy. His play Animal, written in collaboration with Jon Bradfield, was shortlisted for the 2020 Papatango New Writing Prize and won the 2021 Hope Mill Prize. It was staged in 2023 in a co-production between Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, and Park Theatre, London.