Don’t judge a senior by their spectacles - who knows what mischief is brewing behind those frames? AWOL: 2 Old Men Escape From A Care Home & Go To A Metal Festival takes you on an utterly WILD journey of blackmail, thievery, daring escapes, adventure and embracing newfound courage.

The music in the show does more than entertain; it serves as a unifying thread, shaping character motivations and driving the plot. It plays a crucial role in setting the stage for Cecil and Neville’s daring escape, pushing them to go AWOL. Musical tastes are woven into the narrative, enhancing character development and supporting smooth scene transitions.

The production embraced a minimalist set, focusing the spotlight on the actors' performances, which highlighted their strong characterisation and seamless scene transitions. Along with highly visual language woven into the narration, two simple chairs transformed the stage into a care home waiting room, a fake bus stop, and even a car, skilfully engaging the audience’s imagination to bring each setting vividly to life. In this production, two actors expertly blended narration with performance, seamlessly shifting between characters and occasionally stepping into the role of storyteller to directly engage the audience.

This narrative approach, paired with breaking the fourth wall, created an intimate connection that drew the audience into the journey. The duo's rapid character transformations, executed through voice and physicality alone, were effortlessly distinguishable, requiring no reintroduction or costume changes.

Such a performance demanded impressive versatility and skill, both of which the actors showcased brilliantly. Beneath the humour lies poignant social commentary on the flaws of the aged care system, the treatment of the elderly, and society’s tendency to stereotype older generations. Thankfully, this is also a story of triumph, compassion, and understanding, with a well-crafted script that leaves the audience satisfied and uplifted.

AWOL: 2 Old Men Escape From A Care Home & Go To A Metal Festival is a brilliant, hilarious and heartwarming show that will whisk you away on an adventure beyond your wildest imaginings.