Review: BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF, Theatre Royal
Boys From The Blackstuff runs at the Theatre Royal until 15 March
Boys From The Blackstuff is a new play based on Alan Bleasdale’s BAFTA award-winning TV series and is written by James Graham and directed by Kate Wasserberg.
It's Liverpool in the 1980s and a group of men are out of work. They're keen to work but there are no jobs available. They have to traipse down to the job centre constantly to justify their dole money.
There's some cash-in-hand work available on building sites where men are paid way below the going rate with the employers taking advantage of their desperation. The benefits office are hot on their tails and are keen to catch these men working while claiming.
The setting is industrial Liverpool with projections of the shipping docks in the background. There is a stark contrast between the coldness of the set and the colour and character from the spirited men.
There are strong performances across the board as these men go through a range of emotions because of their circumstances. The standout performance comes from Jay Johnson as Yosser. He's initially a bit of light relief as he declares "I could do that" about every job he comes across but it becomes clear he's a lot more desperate than it first seems.
While it is slow to get going, Boys From The Blackstuff is a hard-hitting drama that feels just as relevant today as it did 40 years ago.
Photo credit: Alastair Muir
Reader Reviews
Get Broadway News on WhatsApp
Receive the latest updates, breaking news, and exclusive coverage from Broadway directly in WhatsApp.
Videos
|
Sanctuary Pleasance Dome (Ace Dome) (8/05-8/31) |
|
One Man Poe: The Black Cat and The Raven Greenside Venue @ Riddles Court (Willow Studio) – Venue 16 - 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG (8/07-8/29) |
|
Collaborator Pleasance at EICC (Pentland) (8/06-8/22) |
|
Suitcase Show Assembly Roxy (8/05-8/30) |
|
The UnTalent Show Aberdeen Arts Centre (6/20-6/20) |
|
Rollers Forever King's Theatre (10/27-10/31) |
|
Glass Child Summerhall (Old Lab) (8/06-8/16) |
|
Lifelong Studio 2, Assembly George Square Studios, EH8 9LH (Venue 17) (8/05-8/17) |
|
Dracula: Lucy's Dream Pleasance at EICC (Lennox) (8/06-8/29) |
|
Couplet: Folk Marry Kill Assembly George Square (8/05-8/30) |
| VIEW ALL SHOWS ADD A SHOW | |