Bears, Bears, Bears | Contact Theatre

If you go down to the Contact Theatre today, you’re sure of a big surprise - Bears, Bears, Bears has made its premiere in Manchester and it certainly did not disappoint.

Bears, Bears, Bears, which is written by Natalie Beech and directed by Connor Goodwin, is a surreal tragicomedy that explores relationships between men and women, centring on the viral question of whether women would rather be alone in the woods with a bear or a man.

The production embraced an intimate atmosphere, staged in the round at Space 2 within Manchester’s Contact Theatre. The set design remained intentionally minimalist, featuring a central wood fire surrounded by four tree stumps that served multiple functions throughout the performance. With minimal scenery and props, the audience was invited to suspend disbelief and imagine the shifting locations, from bars and women’s bathrooms to train journeys and beyond.

From the outset, the audience is introduced to feminist Jen, played by Jenna Sian O’Hara, alongside her partner Jake, portrayed by Jordan Akkaya. Jen appears in a blood-stained dress, while both characters bear dirtied hands, subtly hinting at a dark secret that is only fully revealed in the closing moments of Act Two, without venturing into spoiler territory.

The play charts the pair’s often fractured ten-year relationship through Beech’s carefully crafted dialogue. Their conversations feel raw, authentic, and at times deliberately uncomfortable, as the audience is drawn into intimate discussions surrounding sexuality and power dynamics. These moments were sensitively directed by Goodwin, allowing the emotional tension between the characters to resonate effectively. However, the non-linear structure of the relationship timeline occasionally became confusing, leaving uncertainty about the specific stage of the couple’s journey. Greater signposting throughout the production would have provided a clearer sense of progression and emotional development.

O’Hara delivered a captivating performance as Jen, skilfully balancing the character’s eccentricity with moments of genuine vulnerability. She carried the production with confidence, guiding the audience through Jen’s emotional and often chaotic journey, particularly during her reflective monologues and struggles as an aspiring writer. In contrast, Shifaa Arfan brought warmth and sincerity to the role of Jodie, whose naïve and grounded nature provided a welcome counterbalance to the production’s darker and more surreal moments. Although Arfan had less stage time, her presence consistently brought a refreshing sense of lightness to each scene. Akkaya also delivered a compelling performance as Jake, portraying the character with a quiet vulnerability that sharply contrasted Jen’s more absurd and volatile nature. However, as Act Two draws to a close, it becomes clear that Jake is far less innocent than he initially appears.

The production was ultimately tied together in a neat, furry bow - an achievement that deserves commendation, particularly as the climax of Act One left considerable uncertainty about the direction the narrative would take. The final plot twist proved genuinely gripping, keeping the audience on edge and, judging by the stunned silence that followed, taking many by surprise.

Bears, Bears, Bears shows significant potential for future development. However, refining some of its looser narrative threads and clarifying the timeline throughout would allow for a more consistent and fluid storytelling experience.

Bears, Bears, Bears is playing at the Contact Theatre until 16th May, and tickets can be found

here.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review