Leeds Grand Theatre – until Saturday 17 May 2025
Reviewed by Sal Marino
5*****
James Graham’s stage adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s 1982 television series Boys from the Blackstuff, directed by Kate Wasserberg, authentically portrays working-class life in 1980s Liverpool. This brilliant production effectively captures the original’s moving depth and relevance.
Graham’s adaptation weaves together the narratives of the main central characters—Yosser (Jay Johnson), Dixie (Mark Womack), Chrissie (George Caple), Loggo (Jurell Carter), and George (Ged Mckenna)— as they all try to survive in Thatcher’s Britain. Bleasdale’s original episodic structure is transformed into a collective experience for the stage instead of individual stories – and it works really well! The tragic death of Snowy, a character from the original series, serves as a central motif and this is entwined within the characters’ individual odysseys whilst highlighting the themes of loss and community.
Jay Johnson’s portrayal of Yosser Hughes must be praised for its intensity and child-like vulnerability. His performance captures the character’s internal turmoil that’s covered up with aggressive bravado. Caple’s Chrissie offers a multifaceted depiction of moral conflict, while Womack’s Dixie adds further complexity to the group. Under Wasserberg’s direction, the production balances humour with serious issues that keep the audience engaged.
Amy Jane Cook’s set design brilliantly captures the industrial backdrop of Liverpool, with towering gantries and gritty textures that ground the narrative in its socio-economic landscape. Jamie Jenkyn’s video projections enhance the setting, with the Mersey in the backdrop and the sad demise of Snowy. In between scenes, the crowd ensembles work together smoothly and add a rhythm and a beat that makes the whole production flow.
James Graham’s Boys from the Blackstuff is a compelling adaptation that pays homage to Bleasdale’s original whilst introducing the story to a younger generation. It takes us on a journey of exploration in times when unemployment was rife and looks at how individuals and a community dealt with it. Boys from the Blackstuff is an important piece of contemporary theatre as it gives us a glimpse of cultural history that is both entertaining and educational.