Breedbate Theatre’s second production ever took a risk, and it paid off.
The company performed Will Eno’s Thom Pain (based on nothing) at Convocation Hall on Oct. 4. The one night only, one man show starred Aiden Robert Bruce, ArtSci ’25, and was directed by Jake Henderson, ArtSci ’25. Produced by Robert Herz, Comm ’25, the production ran for 80 minutes with no intermission. The show follows a sporadic, stream-of-consciousness-style journey through one man’s musings over relationships, life, death, and everything in-between.
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Asking life’s biggest questions about mortality alongside moments of levity, the production was darkly humorous. Originally presented by Soho Theatre Company in association with Chantal Arts + Theatre and Naked Angels (NYC) in August 2004, Thom Pain was later transferred to Soho Theatre, London in September 2004. In 2005, the script became a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, catapulting it to international recognition.
Performing the show in 2024 was a risk for Breedbate. In Thom Pain’s most recent Off-Broadway run in 2018, starring Michael C. Hall, the production received negative critique, with critics questioning the relevance of its themes.
“The Off-Broadway with Michael C. Hall got really bad reviews. The critics were saying it just isn’t as impactful as it was in 2004 or 2005, so it really didn’t perform well,” Bruce said in an interview with The Journal. “But we disagreed [with the critics],” Henderson said. “We thought it’s a pretty universal show. I think it can exist in any setting, or lack of setting, actually.”
Bruce is also one of the co-founders of Breedbate Theatre, with this performance marking their second production, following the success of The End of the Line, which was performed this summer at the 2024 Theatre Kingston Fringe Festival, as part of the Kick & Push Festival.
The journey from the page to the stage wasn’t an easy one, but Bruce wasn’t afraid of a challenge. “I really wanted to find something that would be really difficult to bring to life. And so, over the summer I read dozens of one man shows, and really, really connected to this one,” Bruce said.
The set, designed by Henderson, was a “maximalist abyss,” featuring chairs, and other random objects stacked high into a halo of clutter and shadow around the titular character.
In their performance, Bruce wasn’t afraid to involve the audience, with the lead character clambering over chairs in the crowd and picking a volunteer to sit on stage till the lights went down. Bruce brought an element of comfort and growing confidence to the character, captivating audience attention during their monologue.
The character is one that allows, and requires, the actors’ own experiences to shine through in the role. “It says in the stage directions that Thom Pain is a mix of Richard the second and Richard the third, but should also be based solely in the performer, like from their own experience. So, I think anyone doing it is going to bring that different take, which is something that’s so great about this show,” Bruce said.
With no other cast to lean on, the one man show aspect was a frightening one for Bruce, yet none of these nerves showed on stage. Henderson spoke of the pros and cons of taking the stage alone. “You don’t have the safety net of a scene partner, but at the same time you’re in complete control,” Henderson said.
The trust between actor and director also showed on stage. Henderson and Bruce worked together in The End of the Line, sharing the stage in an acting capacity. When Bruce had hesitations about the role, “ [Henderson] ended up making me confident enough in it that a few of those lines were improvised, just thrown in,” Bruce said.
Henderson, who primarily acts, made his directorial debut with this production. Bruce was positive about his colleague’s skill in this new field. “I had a great team to me. Jake, It’s his first time directing, and he was one of the best directors I’ve worked with, easily,” Bruce said.
Breedbate Theatre’s performance of Thom Pain (based on nothing) was a subversive and bold choice that showed the boundaries the company is willing to push.
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