Named after the TikTok trend, asking whether you’d rather be alone in the woods with a man or bear, Sarah Hehir’s play explores emotional abuse, coercion and control. Lesley Ewen, Katie Hurley and Amaia Naima Aguinaga play three generations of women experiencing harmful behaviour from men. Paige is mum to Angel, and moved away from Sam because she couldn’t stomach his jealous, financially abusive behaviour. Teenager Angel clams up after seeing a friend sexually assaulted at a party and Connie, albeit the strong, protective matriarch, isn’t immune to homophobic comments and prejudice from her church.
Bright bursts of Doja Cat and UK garage duo DJ Luck and MC Neat lighten the increasingly dark tone, and a drunken kitchen disco breaks the tension, temporarily. Directed by Ursula Martinez, it shows the sometimes very casual creep of danger; mind games and minimising, then guilt about speaking out, if the abuse is not violent. The Domestic Abuse Scotland Act came into force in 2019, with England following in 2021; progress, but not a magic wand when systemic misogyny persists and lawmakers and educators struggle to catch up with the complexities of this often hidden, age-old yet new crime. Smart, powerful kitchen sink storytelling.
Man or Bear, Summerhall, until 30 (not 17, 24), 1.45pm.