Review by Daz Gale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
More than forty years after Alan Bleasdale’s original television series Boys From The Blackstuff was aired, a new adaptation has exploded on to the stage, currently stopping at National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre ahead of an immediate West End transfer. With such an acclaimed series and similarities to the story still proving relevant decades later, could this adaptation live up to the original’s reputation?
Based on the landmark 1982 series, James Graham’s stage adaptation of Boys From The Blackstuff premiered in Liverpool’s Royal Court last year, returning for another season prior to its current run at National Theatre and ahead of its transfer to the Garrick Theatre this month. Set in 1980s Liverpool, it focuses on five men struggling to provide for their families due to a lack of work and money being available. As they navigate their less than ideal circumstances, their attempts for just one chance has varying impacts on them.
Condensing a television series into a couple of short hours for a play can often be a difficult task, with the problems of either cramming in too much or sacrificing various storylines. I must admit I had never seen the TV series before so can only take Boys From The Blackstuff on face value, and I found it to have a cohesive narrative – fairly fast paced but never in a way that felt hard to follow. James Graham’s adaptation and Alan Bleasdale’s original writing creates a beautifully written and powerful piece of theatre, which plays into the emotive nature of the narrative, allowing larger moments to burst through and the more tender moments to breathe.
The writing remains exceptional throughout, with humour peppered throughout, crucially striking the right balance so it never feels like it is making fun of the characters or belittling their situations. Moments on the surface such as Yosser’s repeated catchphrase of “Giz a job” can elicit a laugh at face value, though holds a deeper meaning and desperation when the surface gets scratched. It is this multi-layered writing that makes Boys From The Blackstuff a fascinating watch, simultaneously entertaining and moving, and ultimately impactful.
Kate Wasserberg’s direction takes the beauty and intricacies of the writing and finds ways to bring out every morsel of humour and humanity through inspired choices. Finding ways to make this story translate to a live audience rather than those watching through a screen as well as the challenges of transporting this story from the comparatively grand Olivier Theatre to the more limited space of the Garrick Theatre requires intricate planning, but this is expertly handled. Amy Jane Cook’s design uses simple transformations, never detracting from the star quality of the actors but living up to the quality of the writing at the same time, while a stunning use of movement from Rachael Nanyonjo elevates the story further.
With the story centred around the five titular boys, five powerhouse performances are needed to really do the story justice and that is exactly what this phenomenal cast manage. Nathan McMullen stands out as the sweet Chrissie whose reputation of being too nice results in a striking and captivating portrayal. Philip Whitchurch gets some of the greatest scenes as George, with Mark Womack and Aron Julius giving strong turns as Dixie and Loggo respectively.
The undoubted standout in the cast, however, belongs to Barry Sloane in his miraculous turn as Yosser. In what can initially be taken on face value as a fairly comedic role, Sloane allows for a slow burn as his character unravels, revealing the true extent of his character and the tragic circumstances behind him. In a true masterclass performance, it is hard to take your eyes off of Sloane as his character explodes and breaks down in a truly impressive feat of acting. It takes an immense amount of skill to be able to play a character this loud and brash without it turning into a caricature, but Barry Sloane consistently marvels in a flawless performance.
Whether you are a fan of the original show or are new to the story, there is something for everyone in this stage adaptation of Boys From The Blackstuff. A truly thrilling and exhilarating piece of theatre, it manages to be humorous throughout, while ultimately proving devastating in a rich and varied story that still holds relevance and poignancy decades later. With acting and direction every bit as good as the writing, Boys From The Blackstuff is a show that takes you on a ride, makes you feel throughout and stays on your mind long after you leave the theatre.
Boys From The Blackstuff plays at National Theatre until 8th June before a run at the Garrick Theatre from 13th June – 3rd August.
Tickets from www.boysfromtheblackstuff.com
Photos by Alastair Muir