Boogie On The Bones Review: WithinTheatre's political storytelling is inspiring

Photography Credit: Varvara Burtseva

03 December 2025 I 19:00 I Cockpit Theatre, London

⭐⭐⭐ I PR - Invite

After a successful premiere at the Omnibus Theatre, Boogie On The Bones transfers to London's Cockpit Theatre this December, raw and unafraid to expose the harsh realities of post-war Russia. Inspired by real life events, Slavic theatre collective WithinTheatre theatricalise the 1950s youth subculture of the Stilyagi, rebelling against totalitarianism and embracing the aesthetics of the Western World. The themes of singularity versus system are prevalent in the character's struggles against oppressive influence.

The stage opens with the ensemble placing heads on hangers, breaking the head of Stalin to signify the leader's death as a political statement of unrest. This symbolism ripples through the play, following Mels' (Andrii Zamiatin) decision to go by the name Mel, removing the 's' in his name to disregard Stalin.

Photography Credit: Varvara Burtseva

The emotional connection between characters is beautifully presented, with tender writing from Daria Besedina. This includes Fred's (Max Taptygin) life changing ultimatum to marry for love or strategy. Admiring Betsy (Vera Raskina), she is shown under a red light, moving freely and representing the notion of individuality, where thegeorgeNET's lighting design is both alluring and passionate. One scene supported by a live rendition of Michael Bublé's Sway, the audience is able to lean into the story's intimacy.

A thrust staging, with a three-sided audience, does not quite live up to its full potential. With Eldar Shibanov's design, set pieces and mannequins are positioned in such a way that occasionally obstructs sightlines. Minor mistakes, dropping props for example, prove equally challenging and lacking the finesse of a complete performance. Nevertheless, the Cockpit Theatre's close proximity with the stage solidifies our relationship with the performers, thus heightening our empathy.

Photography Credit: Varvara Burtseva

The cast particularly excel in their strength in movement, filling the space with impressive dance and tap sequences choreographed by Anna Korzik & Wren Perkins, displaying precision and a powerful sense of togetherness.

Final moments featuring the Doctor are particularly powerful, as she criticises the individualities of each of her patients. The majority of this text is drowned out by Mel's saxophone playing, a deliberate attempt to silence authority when all hope has been abandoned. Refusing to revert to tradition, WithinTheatre's political storytelling is inspiring, a demonstration of resistance and truth.

Slavic devising companies are a rarity in London's theatre scene, as Boogie On The Bones understandably targets a niche audience, the integration of Russian language and cultures seen throughout. Being Polish (therefore Slavic) myself, I missed a lot of these references, the intended audience perhaps too narrowed. Despite a need to refine smaller details, the message is one of hope and urgency which is more relevant than ever.

Show Information & Tickets: https://www.withintheatre.com/copy-of-boogie-on-the-bones