Above the Arts Theatre 19 September – 8 October. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
You don’t need to love Punk to love this play – Leon Fleming has written a superb character study of a troubled young man searching for his place in the world, and finding solace in Punk and his idol, Sid Vicious. Considering what other disenfranchised kids can turn to nowadays, there is an underlying sense of innocence in Craig’s choice and by the end of the play, you just want to give him a big hug.
Craig is in his bedroom getting ready to visit his girlfriend at her university. He lives with his mum but in his room, he is master of all. His worrying about whether a T-shirt or a shirt is appropriate to wear to university between rants about Punk and anarchy (which has much more rules than I thought it would) is a lovely touch, reminding the audience that this lad just wants to be accepted by someone – anyone.
Dario Coates is phenomenal as Craig – when he is haranguing the audience his intensity is terrifying at times. And if he spears you with his eyes, you’ll be squirming. But the intensity is also very, very funny. At times Fleming’s writing is like Punk poetry, and carries you away on a rollercoaster of emotions, all delivered breathlessly by Coates. The few moments of stillness and silence are even more powerful, and Coates body language is captivating.
The trip – obviously – doesn’t go well. Craig’s retelling of the events is poignant and funny. His discomfort and insecurity are portrayed beautifully, with scathing descriptions of students and the student pub. When one of the students gives Craig his analysis of punk – with masterful switches between characters by Coates – Craig’s reactions take the audience from laughter to gasps of horror in seconds. But Craig’s sly self-awareness soon delivers the laughs again, and as the final part of the play begins to unpick Craig’s obsession with Punk – his relationship with his mother and fanciful ideas about his unknown father – cheap laughs and over sentimentality are avoided, leaving you feeling hopeful for Craig’s future.
Intense, moving and funny – Sid is wonderfully written and superbly acted. Whether you’re a fan of the Sex Pistols or S Club 7 – you need to GO AND SEE SID.