Who is Jack Stokes? He’s an astonishingly impressive young British actor you may be hearing a lot more about in the coming years. Stokes is currently electrifying audiences in the play Shellshocked as part of the 59E59 Brits Off Broadway Series, running through June 8th. Catch him if you can!
Shellshocked, written by Jack’s father Philip, is a 70-minute, nail-biting two-hander set right after the end of the second World War. A psychologically ravaged 19-year-old Brit soldier, Wesley (Stokes) visits a curious and cunning painter, Mr. Lupine (Lee Bainbridge) to interview for an apprenticeship. Wesley’s mother has sent the boy’s portfolio to Lupine and he is now being considered for the position. But Wesley is ill-prepared for Lupine’s unsettling mind games, uncomfortable requests and creepy actions as the older artist does his best to rattle and manipulate his younger (and potentially more talented) mentee. And something more sinister may be afoot.
Stokes fully embodies the sensitive, yet steadfastly stoic lad who is trying to navigate his return home and, now, a stranger’s assault on his senses. Stokes etches a captivating, nuanced portrait of shattered youth compelled into adulthood. It’s a brilliant performance that deserves to be seen and experienced.
The young thesp caused quite a sensation in his debut one-man play (also written by Philip), Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me, which bowed at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Theater Festival where he won the Theatre Weekly Award for Best Solo Performance. The show went on to play at the Adelaide Fringe in Australia and then toured the UK.
The very next year, he starred in Lash — A Pulsating New Play about Going Out Out! (also written by the elder Stokes) where he was awarded Theatre Week’s Best Monologue Performance. That show also toured the UK.
Shellshocked bowed at the Harrogate Theatre last may and moved on to the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe before touring the UK and playing Adelaide. New Yorkers have one more week to catch it. The performance schedule at 59E59 Theaters is Tuesday-Friday at 7:15pm, Saturday at 2:15pm & 7:15pm, Sunday at 2:15pm.
For tix visit:https://www.59e59.org/
Shellshocked is produced by Richard Jordan Productions and 412 with Lawrence Batley Theatre, Harrogate Theatre in association with Pleasance.
A new show, written by Philip, for Jack, is called Brighton ’84 and is set at the Grand Hotel in Brighton on October 12, 1984, where the IRA attempted to assassinate conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The Contending enjoyed chatting with Jack Stokes about the play and his budding career.
Note: Stokes is managed by Fourth Wall Management: ag******@******************nt.com
