Time moves differently in the country. Brian and Jude have a farm they don’t want. Jude’s half-sister, Phoeb, turns up out of the blue following the disappearance of her husband Gavin.
But things begin to change around the farm the night Phoeb believes Gavin has returned. It’s just that Gavin isn’t exactly himself… Gavin is a hummingbird. As Phoeb attempts to build herself wings to join her bird-husband, the two reluctant famers are forced to confront their own lives, deal with the loss of a close friend and finally begin to move on.
Edward Albee’s ‘The Goat’ meets Michel Gondry’s ‘Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind’, Chris Neels’ play features banana milk, model spaceships, expectant sheep, and lost dreams. Hummingbird is a surreal and relatable exploration of grief, aspiration and dairy farming.
Press & Reviews
Praise for previous work
Fledgling Theatre:
They Built It No One Came
The Scotsman - ★★★★ “Told succinctly with humour and compassion…about how we are capable of undermining our own best intentions and how far we might have to compromise our ideals in order to get others to share them.”
British Theatre Guide - ★★★★ "Reminiscent of a Monty Python sketch…Radiating warmth and with a very tight script, They Built It. No One Came is a a style of storytelling that sits perfectly within its 1- hour time slot."
Neck or Nothing
The Upcoming - ★★★★ “The thematic study of masculinity and mental health is nested subtly within believable, compelling and very funny characters”
Spy in the Stalls - ★★★★ “They balance sincerity and comedy throughout, allowing the audience a laugh even when the situation is heartbreakingly hopeless”
Mind the Blog - ★★★★ “A surreal comedy that shines a light on men’s mental health issues, as well as entertains – an ambitious but well done production.”
Celebrate:
London Theatre - ★★★★ “With a steady and assured delivery of a warm and witty script, there’s much to enjoy in this brief play, but even more to think about.”
Reviews for previous Bruised Sky:
Villain:
The Stage – ★★★★ “Things move at exactly the right pace to keep the audiences attention and sympathy”
Victim:
Stage Talk Magazine - ★★★★★ “Every gesture, turn of phrase and facial expression is perfectly judged”
One4Review - ★★★★★ “Asking for a play to last longer is hardly a criticism though and I thoroughly recommend this play.”
Fringebiscuit - ★★★★ “Beresford delivers a powerful performance as both inmate & prison officer in this brilliant study of power & manipulation”
Good Girl:
LondonTheatre1 – ★★★★★ “A bold, provoca
Cast & Creative Team Writer & Director: Christopher Neels
Developed with: Nic Sampson & Callum Cameron
Cast includes: Nancy Zamit & Louise Beresford
Designer: Virginie Taylor