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★★★★
Alan Bleasdale’s 1982 TV series ‘Boys from the Blackstuff’ has been adapted for the stage by James Graham and is currently touring theatres across the UK. Centring on five friends from Liverpool, the play dives into the lives of Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser and showcases the impact of unemployment on their way of life and loved ones. Following a West End run at the Garrick Theatre in 2024, Bill Kenwright Ltd has produced Liverpool’s Royal Court and the National Theatre production for a UK tour and the penultimate venue is the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. I had the opportunity to review the show on opening night here in Kent and was impressed by both the industrial-inspired visual design and commitment to highlighting the difficulties of everyday life in the 1980s.
Initial thoughts
It goes without saying that this is by no means an uplifting play; it is a drama that reflects on the struggle to find work in the period, told from the perspective of ordinary people. As someone who hasn’t watched Alan Bleasdale’s original work, it was very easy to pick up on the narrative, thanks to both clarity in the dialogue and visual cues on stage – such as the numbered booths at the unemployment centre. That being said, at times you can feel as if you are watching a narrative with already established characters. There are glimpses of context and backstory, but for a standalone piece of theatre, not enough of this to truly get to know each of the five. I already found the writing to be both powerful and poignant, but a little more focus on establishing each of the individual people would make the piece even more heart-wrenching.
Industrial set design
The visual design is a standout element of the production, combining physical set pieces, video projections and atmospheric lighting. Amy Jane Cook’s set transports audiences to the maritime city, utilising shipping containers, elevated cranes and construction frameworks to highlight the significance of industry to the area. The colour palette on stage also has a sombre, moody ambiance which evokes the feeling of a city in decline and is reminiscent of the closing docks and factories of the era. Additionally, Jamie Jenkin’s video work and Ian Scott’s lighting design extends the boundaries of the set, highlighting the waterside location and adding depth to each location presented.
A powerful reflection on life in 1980s Liverpool
Overall, the narrative forces audiences to reflect on their morals and question what is right and wrong. For me, this is proof of what a strong drama ‘Boys from the Blackstuff’ is. You also leave the auditorium with so much compassion for the group and their shared situation. It’s a very thought-provoking watch and I’d recommend it to both longtime fans of the series (who will pick up on far more references than I did) and anyone who enjoys dramatic, contemplative theatre. The show is at the Marlowe until Saturday 28th June and last minute tickets for the final performances are available via the venue’s website.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘Boys from the Blackstuff’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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