Tom Vallen as Will in A Gym Thing (Image: Sally Jubb Photography)
When: 30th April – 13th May 2018
Where: StageSpace, Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, London N7 9EF
£: Tickets cost £15 or £12 for concessions
What is it?
A Gym Thing, at the Pleasance Theatre in London, will present a brutally honest portrayal of the rising health concerns of gym addiction.
Set within a 60-minute workout, A Gym Thing shines a much-needed spotlight on the world of Bigorexia or Muscle Dysmorphia (reverse anorexia); a subtype of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). BDD is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder that affects both men and women. For sufferers, quality of life is extremely poor and, shockingly, suicide rates are amongst the highest out of all mental disorders.
Driven by a daily quest for perfection, Will takes us on a fast-paced, sweaty, physical exploration of how the gym has strengthened and weakened his relationships, his physique and ultimately his life. This complex love story offers a truthful insight into a gym addict’s point of view about body image, while offering those who don’t visit the gym a greater understanding about why gym goers strive for perfection.
A Gym Thing will feature Jennifer Brooke (Hollyoaks, Channel 4; White Gold, BBC2; My Name Is Lenny, Salon Pictures) and Gabriel Akuwudike (The Bisexual, Channel 4; No One Is An Island, Tangle Theatre). The play is written by Tom Vallen, who also starts as Will. Vallen’s acting credits include Episodes (BBC/ Showtime), Casualty (BBC) and Doctors (BBC).
More info: www.pleasance.co.uk