Yvonne Arnaud – until 3rd May 2025
Reviewed by Heather Chalkley
5*****
Alan Bleasdale’s award winning TV series had a huge impact when it was screened in the 80’s, at the height of yuppiedom and a time when people either lived in feast or famine. How is it possible to transport that success to the stage? By bringing together a writer who lived through those times, James Graham and an inspirational director, Kate Wasserberg. The essence of the original series is laid out before you and if it’s possible, has a greater impact, hitting you solidly in the gut.
The story of each character displays the many different facets of high unemployment and the demonisation of those out of work happening during Thatcher’s era. The Department of Employment set up to support people into work is presented as a weapon of the state, stepping over the line with tragic consequences.
People of a certain generation remember the phrase ‘Giz a job’ with a wry smile. Jay Johnson gives a full frontal, passionate performance to Yosser, bringing tears to the eyes of many in the audience. Yosser’s struggle with mental health and break down in family relationships is laid bare by Johnson, in a bleakly humorous fashion, mostly ending with a headbutt!
Snowy (Reiss Barber) represents hope for the future, defiance and rebellion against the state. Barber brings an almost reckless, positive vibe to his character, encouraging his fellow tarmacs to see the bigger picture. His loss dashes the hopes of them all.
Chrissie (George Caple) is a peacemaker, trying to keep it all together, almost breaking his marriage by sticking to his principles. Caple gives a natural performance, simply showing this is who Chrissie is at the core and he cannot deny it.
The old boy George (Ged McKenna) gives context to the story and a reflection of past times, providing a gateway for each character to express their hopes and fears. McKenna gives a believable performance that we can all relate to.
The cast represent the strong relationships that grow out of doing a physically tough job and how their whole community is tested when unemployment hits them all hard. The culture of society was inexorably changed by the decisions made by government in the 80’s, for good or for bad. This play is a lesson in social history, a powerful watch and a warning to any government making radical changes to the system.