REVIEW: THE CAR MAN @ THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH

🎭 The Car Man

📍 The Lyric, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2TR

🗓 Tuesday 14th July 2026

⭐️ 5 Stars

A SEXY, HIGH-OCTANE TUNE-UP

Right, let’s be completely real for a second. If you told me a month or so ago I’d be dragging myself onto a National Express coach from London down to Plymouth for the second time in just two weeks, I might have given you a bit of side-eye. Coach travel isn't exactly the definition of luxury, is it? But let me tell you, the second I stepped out of the West Country sunshine and into the gorgeous, cool air of the Theatre Royal Plymouth, every single mile on that motorway became entirely worth it.

Regular readers will know my absolute, unadulterated love for New Adventures. This company has my whole heart, and being back at TRP is an emotional one for me. Almost 30 years ago, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake was the very first ballet I ever saw, right here in this exact venue. It completely rewrote the rules of what dance could be for me. Coming back here to see THE CAR MAN feels like a massive, beautiful homecoming - not just for me, but for the show itself, given that TRP is the original world premiere location where this masterpiece first burst into life back in 2000.

What a masterpiece this production is. Forget any expectations you may have based on Bizet’s traditional opera. The classic story is reimagined and transported into a gritty, dusty 1950s American midwestern diner and garage called Harmony. It is gripping, thrilling, and characterised by a bold, theatrical intensity.

The production expertly defines what dramatic tension looks like. The first half pulses with a raw, heavy sexual energy as the heat of the summer sun matches the rising stakes between the characters. The choreography is daring and bold, creating a palpable atmosphere that leaves the audience collectively holding its breath. But Bourne flips the script brilliantly. As the story progresses, that intoxicating energy curdles into something far darker, moving with terrifying speed from passionate encounters to shocking, brutal conflict. It is a visceral and gripping transition that has the entire auditorium gasping in surprise. You could literally hear a pin drop during the most intense moments of the second act.

Matthew Bourne is an absolute master of his craft. The choreography is never just about one central couple, but rather there are layers upon layers of narrative happening simultaneously across the stage. Watching this production multiple times would likely reveal something completely new in the background of every single scene. The movement is mind-bogglingly intricate and is danced with absolute, sublime precision by a cast that is nothing short of exceptional. I sat there completely transfixed by the sheer power of what was unfolding on the stage.

The evening was off to an excellent start even before the music began. The cast list revealed that the performance last night was to be led by the sensational Ashley Shaw and Will Bozier. Having seen both on stage many times before - and not just in New Adventures productions - it is clear in my mind they are two of the most impressive dance performers working today.

Their performances were divine and utterly breathtaking. Ashley Shaw is a total force of nature as Lana. She portrays the character's fierce vulnerability and desperation with a raw, emotional depth that breaks your heart, commanding the stage with every extension and look. And Will Bozier, as the enigmatic drifter Luca, was a complete standout. There is a magnetic, dangerous, and dominating presence to his performance that makes it physically difficult to look away from him. He moves with a sharp, predatory grace, embodying the ultimate anti-hero. The fiery, explosive chemistry between Shaw and Bozier is a masterclass in dramatic storytelling - absolutely divine, utterly captivating, and deeply thrilling to watch.

The entire ensemble functioned as a powerhouse. A major, full-circle highlight of the evening was seeing Alan Vincent on stage as Dino. For those who know their New Adventures history, Vincent was the original Luca when this show first world premiered. Watching him bring that incredible depth, history, and gravitas to the role of Dino was an absolute privilege - a brilliant bit of casting that adds so much emotional weight to the production.

A special mention must also go to Harry Ondrak-Wright as the vulnerable Angelo. The character's journey is profoundly moving, and his performance brings a captivating, raw sincerity to the role. Anna-Maria de Freitas is equally brilliant as Rita, delivering a fierce, emotionally resonant performance that anchors the dramatic stakes of the second half perfectly.

The phenomenal set design is a stunning example of theatrical engineering. The intricate, detailed world of the garage feels like a character in its own right, and its transformations are flawless. The way the staging transitions from a claustrophobic prison cell block back into the car garage is remarkably clever. Paired with a brooding, atmospheric lighting design that evokes classic film-noir cinema, it creates an intense, cinematic world.

Having seen almost everything the New Adventures company has produced, this stands out as perhaps the best production ever seen from them. It is passionate, thrilling, and a masterclass in modern storytelling. A five-star rating hardly seems enough for a production of this calibre.

Performances of THE CAR MAN continue at Theatre Royal Plymouth until Saturday 18th July. CLICK HERE to head to the TRP website and if tickets are still available, they are well worth securing. Believe me when I say, you won't be disappointed.

As I put the finishing touches to this review, I'm back in London and already looking at my theatre diary to find a space to rewatch this production when it visits Sadler's Wells later in the summer.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of The Car Man was gifted by Theatre Royal Plymouth who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Ashley Shaw as Lana; Will Bozier as Luca; Anna-Maria de Freitas as Rita; Harry Ondrak-Wright as Angelo; Alan Vincent as Dino; Eleanor McGrath as Mercedes; Karishma Young as Monica; Tanisha Addicott as Gina / Virginia; Rae Miller as Frankie; Serena McCall as Delores / Shirley; Harrison Dowzell as Rocco; Jarrod McWilliams as Bruno; Callum Mann as Hot Rod; Xavier Andriambolanoro Sotiya as Chad; Leonardo McCorkindale as Vito / Erick; Rory Macleod as Marco / José; Danny Reubens as Dirk / Chuck / Dexter

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Adult scenes of a sexual nature; Brief male nudity; Tobacco depiction; Violence; Murder; Blood imagry; Sexual violence; Gun imagry; Gunshots; Flashing lights; Theatrical haze; Loud music

AGE GUIDELINE:

12+

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