To kill a cow or not kill a cow that is the question. If you were faced with their dilemma what would you do? In all reality probably not the same as the two young men in MILKED End up doing.

Paul (Iwan Bond) has recently graduated from University and is staying with his close friend Snowy (Evan L. Barker). After a morning walk Snowy stumbles upon a cow in distress who doesn’t appear to be able to get up or move. The friends conclude that Sandy (the cow) has only one fate ahead of her, which is death.

The comedy and storyline are based around the pair discussing and attempting different ways to kill Sandy and end her perceived suffering (apparently)!

It isn’t necessarily easy to follow the men’s family backgrounds beyond that they are staying at Snowy’s Dad’s farm although it’s briefly discussed that he is struggling with his mental health. Along with the one-sided and the police conversations Snowy attempts to have with his Mother if only she would answer her phone.

Ethically they should have called the vet and sought professional medical treatment as Sandy might have been pregnant. Although I read between the lines that this action would potentially have added more financial stress to Snowy’s Dad. However, this is never confirmed or discussed. .

MILKED explores the frustration faced by many graduates who set about finding work after University and realise they aren’t qualified or experienced to be offered the job or in Paul’s case live too far away from London.

Breaking the fourth wall during one part of the play Paul attempts to feed some of the audience in the front row some grass, which was an intriguing idea and not all of the audience members approached were willing to participate,  which I don’t think I would have wanted to either.

MILKED is the sort of two-handed play you could expect to find in smaller Theatre venues. The subject and novelty themes in MILKED would likely intrigue and gather audiences at festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe.

For more information about MILKED and future productions at The White Bear please visit the link below.

Three Stars.

Photo credit Craig Sugden.

https://www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk/

Written by: Simon Longman
Directed by: David Bond
Produced by: Shed/VOX
Sound design by: Lewi Scott-Morris
Original music by: Leo Baby

Milked plays at the White Bear theatre until 25 January.