Shoulders

It’s been a year since Matty left the world — but he never left the group chat.

Meanwhile, Edgy unravels in the Cock and Bull, scrolling through his mate’s digital remains, wondering why the boys are airing his messages.

Kelly’s at a loss with him. And they’re both at a loss with their son, Simon, who disappears into screens and communes with imaginary entities.

Edgy misses his day-one — misses how it used to be.

He reaches out to Ellen - Matty’s grief stricken ex - to see if, together, they can stitch back the holes their best friend left behind … 

Set largely across an archive of social media chat threads from 2009 - 2019, with seven distinct characters from outer Croydon, Shoulders is a comedic, moving and razor sharp look at masculinity, loss and friendship in an age of digital dislocation.

Shortlisted for BBC Writersroom 2022. Received positive feedback from the Royal Court, Theatre503. Performed with Script Readers at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in June 2024, and had its first public play reading at the Omnibus in January 2025. 

This is the first staged production in its six year history.

Cast & Creatives

Writer & Director: Fintan Dineen

Cast:

Edgy - James Craze
Ellen - Jesse Bateson
Simon - Jacob Wayne O'Neill
Kaspar - Ishaka Kalokoh
Tommo - Dan Furlonger
Baj - Daniel LeCann
Matthew - Jack Solloway

Graphic Designer - Sherif Soldatov

Date & Time: Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th October @8:30pm

Running Time:  90mins

Content warnings: Age 16+ Drug/Alcohol use, Addiction, Suicide references, & Strong Language

Latecomers may not be admitted. ​Ticket purchases are non refundable.

Concession prices apply to students; under 18s; pensioners; those on disability and unemployment benefits; Equity, BECTU & SDUK members.