Juraj Benko’s experimental one-hander at the intimate Cockpit Theatre is a unafraid exploration of the lasting impact of childhood trauma and the innate longing for love and connection that makes us human.

A large suitcase sits centre stage when the lights come up on Juraj Benko’s original one-man production, Honey Badger. Over the course of the next hour, Benko unpacks a series of objects from the suitcase that transport us back in time to a troubled and abusive childhood.

 A pair of outfits are unpacked and hung up to represent a harsh, violent father and a depressive, alcoholic mother. The limp clothes are brought to life as Benko re-enacts scenes from behind the closed doors of their family home – painful recollections of being locked out in the yard in the pouring rain, driven to hide in cupboards out of fear and falling into fitful sleep in his childhood bedroom to the noise of gambling, drinking and glass smashing downstairs.

Whilst Benko’s stories are unflinching in their handling of a difficult subject matter, a potentially powerful production is let down by heavy-handed and clunky symbolism. A cut glass decanter highlights his mother’s drinking problem, a pack of cards represents a gambling addiction and a gold key around Benko’s neck that unlocks the suitcase shows the audience – in case we were struggling to figure it out – how he’s opening up and attempting to come to terms with a difficult past.

We jump back and forth between Benko’s childhood and his present day musings in a confused, non-linear narrative. A collection of toy animals is used in a series of thinly veiled allegories on the brutality of the animal kingdom: the lion that conquers the alpha male brutally killing his predecessors offspring; hamsters eating their own young in a midnight frenzy. The honey badger is evoked repeatedly for its fearlessness, resilience and single-mindedness in passing these skills to the next generation. It offers a model for the redemption Benko seeks, but fails to grasp, in this production.

Whilst some elements fail to take off, Benko’s performance is commendable throughout. He has an engaging, and at times endearing, stage presence and keeps an impressive energy throughout. Ariella Zilkha’s music is also used to great effect, keeping pace with the emotional intensity of the production.

Honey Badger is a brave piece of theatre which isn’t afraid to shy away from difficult and troubling themes. However, its story is confused and lacks a clear identity – which takes away some of its power and leaves the audience with unanswered questions.

Honey Badger is on at London’s The Cockpit Theatre until 13 April 2024. Find out more here.

Words by Ellen Hodgetts