Licence

This production is part of our Arts of Wellbeing week at The Cockpit.

One man’s odyssey, to save his son and his own sanity, from the sinister forces he's exposed them both to.

Licence
"A spellbinding event" Maurice Hindle (Writer, Educator, Editor)

Bernie wants his pub to be "child friendly", a party atmosphere, a sort of... Santa's Grotto, with himself as Father Christmas. But he's so busy making his dream come true, that his own ten year-old son, Teddy, doesn't get a look in. Blind to his son's need for love, his wife's need for moderation and his best friend's need for honesty, Bernie sails his prized ship, The Toby, directly and decisively, onto the rocks.

Funny, full of laughter, moving, disturbing, poignant, and emotionally satisfying.

One man’s odyssey, to save his son and his own sanity, from the sinister forces he's exposed them both to.

5 Stars (Latest 7 Magazine)
4 Stars (Fringe Review)
4 Stars (Three weeks)

Written and performed by Jonathan Brown
Winner, Best New Play Award, Brighton Fringe 2012 (for the Last Lunch)
Best Male Performer (nom) Brighton Fringe 2007

Licence starts out the gripping story of the last days of a pub, as told by landlord Bernie, whose drive, to sell his wares, to be popular and to prove his worth to his regulars severely undermines his ability to develop intimacy with his son & his own inner world. Indeed it acts as the perfect distraction, enabling him to submerge and deny ancient, forbidden feelings. Feelings he'd forgotten he ever had. Through an emerging subplot that carries undertones of unrealised sexuality, we see how a terror of emotionality can drive a man away from his feelings, his sensitivity, and into whatever "industry" that will happily help him...to bury them.

Contains strong language. Suitable for 12+ yr olds.