Shellshocked, directed by Phillip Stokes and starring Jack Stokes and Lee Bainbridge, delivers a gripping post-war tale of redemption and unravelling at The Lowry Theatre.
Set in post-WWII Salford, Shellshocked follows Wesley Hepton, a young soldier returning home after the horrors of war. But peace becomes difficult to find. Haunted by trauma and burdened with family responsibilities, Wesley’s mental state begins to unravel. His mother, desperate to help, arranges an apprenticeship with a mysterious painter, Mr Lupine. What unfolds is a surreal and disturbing psychological journey that blurs the line between healing and madness. The play asks a chilling question: Can madness save a mind broken by war, or will it destroy it completely?
Jack Stokes delivers a masterpiece performance as Wesley. His portrayal is raw, vulnerable and deeply affecting. Every twitch, pause and breakdown feels painfully real. Stokes, winner of the Adelaide Critics Circle Award 2023, commands the stage with emotional intensity. Lee Bainbridge as Mr Lupine is equally compelling.
His quiet menace and arguable morality add layers of tension. He’s not a villain, but his influence over Wesley is unsettling, manipulative and possibly dangerous. Phillip Stokes’ direction is masterful. He allows the story to simmer, building psychological tension through silence, pacing and transitions. “The play is a character-driven drama, but it’s also a slow-burning thriller. You’re never quite sure who’s in control,” says Phillip Stokes.
At the heart of Shellshocked is a raw portrayal of PTSD. Wesley’s flashbacks, emotional instability and disconnection from reality reflect the psychological toll of war. The play shows the mental scars that linger long after the battlefield is left behind. Stokes says, “shellshocked is about the invisible wounds of war, the kind that don’t bleed but never stop hurting.”
Mr Lupine’s studio is more than just a physical space; it’s a psychological battleground.
Art becomes both a lifeline and a trap. Wesley is drawn to painting to express what words cannot, but Lupine’s influence blurs the line between healing and control. As the director describes it: “Lupine feels deprived of the glory and he sees Wesley’s trauma as a resource, something to exploit for artistic greatness”.
The production uses lighting and sound to stunning effect. Echoes of gunfire, distorted memories and eerie whispers bleed into the scenes, immersing the audience in Wesley’s mental state. The lighting shifts from warm domestic tones to cold blues and reds, reflecting his fall into psychological chaos. The set is sparse but symbolic. A single canvas, a chair and a looming studio space become metaphors for Wesley’s world. The set design has just a few props and clever lighting and becomes a canvas for Wesley’s fracturing mind.
Shellshocked is theatre at its most powerful, unflinching, intimate and unforgettable. It doesn’t tell a story; it immerses you in one. For anyone interested in psychological drama, post-war narratives, or the healing power of art, this is a must-see. The next place on their tour is Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
★★★★☆
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