Bruises

Synopsis

An unfurnished, empty room with wooden floorboards and a single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling

Freddie and Sam, two brothers in their early twenties, are at the center of Kieran Hurley’s intense and confrontational play “Bruises.” Set in an unfurnished, empty room somewhere in the United Kingdom, the play delves into the psychological and physical conflicts that define their relationship. Freddie, a soldier recently returned from deployment, and Sam, his older brother, grapple with their past and present grievances, revealing deep-seated issues of violence, masculinity, and brotherhood.

The play explores themes of violence, masculinity, and familial bonds. It is a drama with a linear narrative that captures the raw and brutal dynamics between the two brothers. The setting is stark, with a single chair and minimal props, focusing the audience’s attention on the intense dialogue and physical confrontations between Freddie and Sam.