A Royal Ballet and Factory International brings Jonathan Watkins rendition of Christopher Isherwood’s classic “A Single Man” to the stage.
This year, MIF is full of brilliant productions however, A Single Man stands out as an absolute must-see. This piece is beautifully staged and unflinchingly honest, capturing the raw loneliness and longing of life after death of a loved one.
The show tells the story of George, a man who is grieving the death of his partner, as he tries to navigate how to continue to live. This play is based during the 60’s, a time when gay rights were not as accepted as present day, exploring the lack of understanding from the people surrounding him. We are driven through his loss and mourn together while he tries to navigate a way to deal with his life.
A Single Man at Factory International
Edward Watson’s rendition of George brings fluid movements that draw the audience into the depths of the character’s sorrow, embodying his despair with every gracious step across the stage. Each of Watson’s gestures feels deliberate yet effortless, his body telling a story vulnerability as he moves across the stage.
Although there is some dialogue in the songs, the choreography becomes a language of its own being rich and profoundly moving. Throughout the show, Watson’s performance pulls us further into his emotional journey as it all unfolds, with the audience being deeply invested and teary.
John Grant brings the voice of George to life
The talented singer-songwriter John Grant brings the voice of George to life with haunting, poetic vocals that add a powerful emotional layer to the performance. His voice floats above Edward Watson’s evocative movements, deepening the sense of loss and inner turmoil at the heart of the piece. Grant’s rich, resonant tone supports the narrative with intensity, offering a vocal rawness that soaks into the contemporary dance. His performance feels both intimate and commanding an unexpected yet deeply affecting presence on stage.
Chiara Stephenson’s set design is brilliantly conceived, a towering wall of household furniture and everyday objects, all painted in a muted shade of grey, stretching up to the ceiling of the stage. Stephenson creates a clever visual metaphor perfectly reflecting the monotone and emotional numbness that George feels, surrounding him with the weight of his own domestic life.
Equally impressive is Simisola Majekodunmi’s lighting design, which brings the set to life in subtle, poignant ways. At key moments, individual items on the wall are illuminated, seamlessly shifting the audience between different locations or moments in time, blurring the lines between past and present with remarkable elegance.
Simisola Majekodunmi’s lighting design
Hidden behind the wall of furniture is composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman with her a small ensemble to gently tug at the audience’s heartstring. The score runs between dramatic flourishes and more simple, continuous flow that perfectly complements the emotional weight of the performance. Rodgman’s approach allows the music to breathe and resonate, adding depth without ever overshadowing the movement on stage.
Throughout the show, I felt the harrowing emotions with the entire audience seeming visibly moved. It’s a rare piece of theatre that lingers with you long after the curtain falls. It is incredibly impactful and one of the most touching shows I have seen recently, I only have praises for the Jonathan Watkins and the team.
I would recommend this show to a maturer audience as it does explore themes of death and loss.
Tickets for A Single Man at Factory International
You can see A Single Man at Factory International from 2 – 6 July. You can get tickets by clicking here
