BBC radio’s dark comedy Cracking on stage tour

BBC Radio 4’s dark and comic story comes to life on stage at the Corn Exchange.

Cracking, a story that blends fiction and reality into one seamless whole, tours to the venue on Tuesday, February 20.

Shôn Dale-Jones, who theatre critic Lyn Gardner describes as ‘The Great Welsh Storyteller’, brings a story about love and hatred that celebrates how searching for connection beats disconnecting.

To ease the tension as they await hospital test results, Shôn playfully cracks an egg on his mother’s head, unaware of their onlooking nosy neighbour.

As the rumour mill begins to spin, Shôn’s image and credibility on the island begins to slip and soon real-life internet trolls begin to appear on his doorstep demanding justice.

Cracking takes on the battle between love and hate, asking what’s funny and where we draw the line. In a world where cancel culture is so rife, it takes a look at the consequences of a wrongful accusation.

Part stand-up, part theatre, this is a funny, touching and thought-provoking solo performance that sews together fact and fiction into one seamless whole, making us wonder what’s real, what’s not and what’s gone wrong.

Originally developed as a radio play for BBC Radio 4, and following its broadcast on August 17, 2023, the play was recommended as Pick of The Week.

Told by the two-time Fringe First winner, this uplifting story has received phenomenal feedback and is now on tour.

Over the last 25 years Shôn Dale-Jones has written 27 theatre plays, five BBC radio dramas and a variety of short films and site-specific work.

His work has been translated into seven languages and been presented in 20 countries across six continents.

He has co-produced worked with BBC Radio 4, Royal Court, Barbican, Sydney Opera House and National Theatre Wales and has won several awards including the BBC Audio Drama Award, two Fringe Firsts, a Total Theatre Award and a nomination for the Prix Europa.

Between 2016 - 2019 he performed The Duke and Me and Robin Hood as fundraising events, raising £100,000 for charities working with vulnerable children.

Cracking celebrates how searching for connection beats disconnecting and is a heart-warming and uplifting comic story about loving in the face of hatred.

The performance starts at 7.45pm.

Age Guide: 14+.

Visit https://cornexchangenew.com to book or for more information.