DISPOSABLE
Union Theatre
★★★★★
“finds a way to provide the powerless with a voice in this epic performance”
“At what point does someone have so many flaws, that they can no longer be considered a good guy?” This is the question that Lucy knows that she must ask her friends when their housemate, Jacob, is accused of something awful. The situation is stark enough; Megan, Lucy, Sam and Will suddenly find themselves living with someone who has been accused of rape. The idea seems ludicrous; such awful crimes are committed by terrible people a long way away from the safety of their university house. However, when a bombshell revelation brings the sickening horror of the situation into their own home, the friends are forced to confront something worse than they could have imagined.
Disposable delves into the lives of a group of university students, but more specifically, focusses on the dark path that awaits many young people. Rapidly changing societal norms have turned modern dating into a chaotic, fast-scrolling experiment in connection, something that is so craved but so often seems out of reach, leaving a feeling of being disposable. Social media provides constant comparison between the highlights of other people’s lives and the reality of our own, fuelling the shallow, performance-driven arena that university nightlife can be. These are critical themes, and it is vital that they are given this platform to be laid bare, but these serve as a prelude to the most important subject matter of the play: consent and the guilt and blame that victims feel after the event.
The play is a difficult watch, at times, owing to the darkness of the topics it dares to confront. In the UK, 82% of women over the age of 18 have been sexually harassed, leaving no clearer indication that there is something that we are getting wrong as a society. Becky Bond, who both wrote the show and also plays the role of Megan, courageously tackles these issues and leaves nothing off the page with this script. This feels like a plea to society’s reluctance to have difficult but necessary conversations. The writing is spellbinding throughout, with the mood of the play delicately maintained over the whole performance.
Arguably the most consequential character in the play is Jacob, the man at the centre of these accusations. Jacob is a popular but boisterous individual who thinks that being a “straight, white man”, makes him a target. In most of his interactions, he is so normal that it seems impossible to reconcile him with what we hear. We will all either know or have met people like him. Paddy Lintin is remarkably convincing in this role, demonstrating an incredible emotional range.
The remaining characters Lucy, Sam and Will (Amaarah Roze, Sukey Willis, William Huk) give us further insight, but from the perspectives of friends rather than perpetrator or victim. The endless regret and hurt of those close by is palpable. The direction (Elodie Foray) to extract all of this power from the story is special.
Disposable finds a way to provide the powerless with a voice in this epic performance. There may be no more timely and important show to go and see, with bigger things surely awaiting this masterful production.
DISPOSABLE
Union Theatre
Reviewed on 7th November 2025y
by Luke Goscomb
Photography by Noelle Vaughn
Previously reviewed at this venue:
BLOODY MARY AND THE NINE DAY QUEEN | ★★★½ | October 2025
DEAD MOM PLAY | ★★★ | April 2025
DUDLEY ROAD | ★★ | January 2025
NOOK | ★★½ | August 2024
WET FEET | ★★★★ | June 2024
