Ring Ring | The White Bear Theatre

From one of Wales’ most highly regarded playwrights, Gary Owen’s Ring Ring’ is a

heartfelt and deeply human insight into the lives of ordinary people, the interactions

we find ourselves in and the steps we take to attempt to change them or make them

last. This marks the play’s first professional staging at the White Bear Theatre,

produced by Shed Theatre Company. With a plethora of Welsh talent and dynamic

direction from David Bond, it’s a slick and charismatic journey from start to finish.

Owen’s writing is gentle and engaging with just the right amount of punch for the

audience to engross ourselves in without feeling forced to, like a microscope being

held to these human connections inviting our attention in. The cast as a collective

are fantastic and completely in tune with one another despite there rarely being more

than 2 actors together onstage at any given time. With multiple characters portrayed

the cast slide from scene to scene with great ease all showcasing immense talent

and commitment.

Tiger Tingley and Leisa Gwenllian both have a wonderful calm

confidence in early scenes, setting a precedent that we are in safe hands, the script

allowing palpable chemistry. Izzi McCormack-John shines with an emotional grit

behind her eyes but never revealing too much, it’s captivating. Iwan Bond gives an

impressive performance, showcasing such versatility. Cheeky and endearing in

earlier scenes leading into a completely grounded and engaging performance during

the latter end of the play. Alfie Todd brings a great youthful energy in the final

scenes. You can clearly see this is a cast that cares about their work and the stories

they’re telling, it’s exciting to see from a young company.

Alberto Aquilina’s design elements in this production moulded well with the feeling

of the play as a whole. Simple and modern with the details of the shelves gradually

accumulating objects serving as a memory timeline for the previous scenes was

beautifully effective. Trekessa Austin’s lighting choices merging with the set

matched perfectly and shifted well during moments of movement orchestrated by

Isabella Garland. The movement themes and motifs could have been explored

more between scenes for a more fluid feeling but the moments presented were well

received.

Rarely does a play capture the cyclical nature of our interactions with one another

with such heart, but this production of Ring Ring is a credit to how companies like

Shed Theatre can lift these stories in the best way. With a stellar cast of young

actors and a sense of professionalism from the off, it's a brilliant piece of work.

Ring Ring plays at The White Bear Theatre until 6th December 2025.

Tickets and More Information

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Craig Sugden