Archived: Cracking

A completely made-up true story

When the world goes mad, do we inevitably go mad too?

When Shôn playfully cracks an egg on his mother’s head, he has no idea real-life internet trolls will appear on his doorstep. CRACKING takes on the battle between love and hate, asking what’s funny and where we draw the line. Part stand-up, part theatre CRACKING is a funny, touching and thought-provoking solo performance that sews together fact and fiction into one seamless whole making us wonder what’s real, what’s not and what’s gone wrong.

CRACKING is a dark and comic story that blends fiction and reality into one seamless whole.

Shôn’s 83-year old mother is waiting for some test results from the hospital. Shôn goes back home to the Isle of Anglesey to visit her. To relieve some pressure, she asks him to crack an egg on her head. All hell is let loose. Internet trolls appear in real life demanding Shôn stops abusing his mother and gets off the island…

This story about love and hatred celebrates how searching for connection beats disconnecting. CRACKING is a heart-warming and uplifting comic story about loving in the face of hatred.

“The most generous of hosts… a mesmerising personality… a gifted storyteller… a natural comic” – The Guardian

“The Great Welsh Storyteller” – Lyn Gardner

“Legend of the Edinburgh Festival” – The Stage

Presented by SDJ Productions, originally developed for BBC Radio 4, co-produced by Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Cracking was originally developed for BBC Radio 4 and won the Tinniswood Award (which is supported by the Writers Guild of Great Britain and the Society of Authors) for the best radio drama script, before being adapted for the stage and touring the UK from October 2023.