Playhouse, Sheffield – January 25th 2025
Reviewed by Sharon Farley
5*****
“Playschool meets The Slits”
Hold onto your D-rings for this fun-filled, high-energy, but relaxed performance. On entry, the audience is warmly welcomed with the beaming smile of Sarah Blanc – who is also responsible for the show’s conceptual and artistic direction – as she reminds us that a ‘relaxed performance’ means that the usual theatre etiquette of remaining still and seated is not required here, directing the audience, “You do You!”
These are not hollow words, we are also invited to contribute to the performance in numerous ways; flags, t-shirts and pens are distributed as we take our seats. Following the character intros, it soon becomes clear this is all about fun and self-expression – “You do You” doesn’t only exist as permission to go to the toilet, it’s a mantra.
However, this isn’t just a raucous dance party. As the on stage punk band, Lazur Tuts, riffs through its set list, the lyrics are displayed on screen so you can sing along and dialogue breaks lead the audience through a number of world topics, unafraid to acknowledge the stresses of modern life. You might ask yourself ‘what do children know about war or debt?’, but you’d be surprised. As a former teacher, I can assure you that kids are extremely sensitive to big issues and take on a great deal of information, but general society dismisses their opinions. Punk Alley lets them know it’s ok to have concerns and also that they are not completely powerless in the shadow of a big, scary world.
More workshop than play, Punk Alley revives the ethos of punk, which emerged in the mid 1970s as a visually aggressive but socially focused movement. Punks were not content to just maintain the status quo, they railed against injustice and questioned authority; the Lazur Tuts encourage their young audience to express what’s on their minds and ask questions. There’s no political indoctrination being preached here, just the notion that all questions are valid and the cast are there to listen. But that’s not all, audience contributions are included in a letter and paraded out into the street to the nearest post box, where they are posted by an audience member to the local MP – art in action. The message definitely landed with some audience members; en route home I encountered a cluster of people waving their Lazur Tuts flags and commemorating their day out with group photos. One of them told me the performance, “Shows you can start small, but it spreads and gets bigger”. Mission accomplished!
At a time when peaceful protest is often vilified, this mission matters. I can see this performance striking a chord in schools and community hubs, where it could open up avenues to rich discussions, as it undoubtedly will for many of its theatre attendees. The audience were motivated, engaged and, most importantly, enjoying every minute. The action is well crafted and periodically rolls through some quiet numbers to ensure any young spectators are able to regulate their emotional energy to manageable levels.
Performed by the fabulously talented award-winning dance troupe, Moxie Brawl, Punk Alley bounces along like Playschool meets The Slits, whilst also ticking all the boxes for progressive 21st Century theatre by being diverse, inclusive, educational, and empowering, whilst also including BSL interpretation and ear protectors Difference is boisterously celebrated, making it as relevant for adults as it is for kids, so break out your safety pins and go and make some noise with the Lazur Tuts on their UK Tour