A grenade hits Joe Bonham in WW1. He wakes up in the hospital to discover his arms, legs, eyes, ears and mouth are gone. Left is but a torso – the living dead alone with his thoughts. Now he breaks through to be heard. In the performance, Joe spins the audience through his tragedy and the 1900s: the century of growth, violence and loss. And he takes no easy way out. Joe fought in the name of liberty, democracy and his native land to lose everything. Now he questions what he's been taught to dream of.
Inspired by Dalton Trumbo’s iconic anti-war novel, Johnny Got His Gunis an intense and visually striking physical theatre performance by Essi Rossi, Johannes Holopainen and Pauli Riikonen. Since it's premiere in 2016 at Lapeenranta City Theatre in Finland, the work has been touring internationally and also won the Grand Prix of Monomafia Pärnu International Theatre Festival.
CREDIT
Based on the novel Johnny Got His Gunby Dalton Trumbo
Directing, dramaturgy and scenography: Essi Rossi
Sound design: Pauli Riikonen
On stage: Johannes Holopainen
Photos: Ilkka Saastamoinen
TECH INFO
Minimum stage size 4x4x4m
1 x stage raiser sized 200x100cm, with legs of 80cm.
Set-up time: 10 hours
Touring crew: 3 persons
Age recommendation: 13+
★★★★★ British Theatre Guide
★★★★ North West End UK
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