York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 18th November. Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
3***
Out of Joint, Octagon Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre brings Andrea Dunbar’s Rita, Sue and Bob Too to York Theatre Royal. Having seen this iconic film several times many years ago I was looking forward to this stage adaptation and seeing their take on such a gritty but well-loved story.
The play follows two fifteen-year-old school girls Rita (Taj Atwal, a former York College student) and Sue (Gemma Dobson), being seduced and falling for a slimy, older married man, Bob (James Atherton), after they babysit for him and his wife Michelle (Samatha Robinson).
The opening scene is quite a shocker and shows their first sexual encounter. On the drive home Bob decides to show the two girls the moors where he then parks and asks them if they know what a Durex is and how to put one on. This leads to an awkward threesome with the girls taking it in turns in the cramped confinements of his car. We are “treated” to Bob’s naked jiggling bottom and such talk as about whether to take trousers off, or just one leg out. This becomes a regular occurrence and while illegal because of their age, the girls are more than willing. This was certainly an eye opener and a bit uncomfortable at times. The way it was played out with the great reactions from whichever girl is not currently participating, you couldn’t help but laugh. The frequent casual underage sex is treated casually and if anyone feels abused or traumatised, it is from the limitations of their situation with YTS and little prospects.
Once the news of their shenanigans gets out, it is Rita and Sue who get all blame, labelled as sluts whilst Bob claims it’s his wife’s fault because she doesn’t want him enough and has driven him to go elsewhere. This results in a foul-mouthed exchange in the street involving the whole cast, including Sue’s parents (Sally Bankes and David Walker). Rita and Sue do not deserve the injustice of it all whilst Bob seems to come out of it scot free, his actions excused.
Atwal and Dobson, in her stage debut, bring an innocence to their roles, which highlights their characters age and immaturity. Atherton play his chauvinistic role well and at times is almost like a naughty little boy doing things he knows are wrong but can’t help himself.
The staging was simple but effective, with two tower blocks on either side with a view of Bradford and the moors in the middle. Reclining car seats are wheeled on and off the stage by the lip synching actors as and when needed, along to an 80’s soundtrack, thankfully just my kind of music.
At only 80 minutes, with no interval, it is a short and at times shocking play, but funny at the same time. Once you get over the nudity and foul language, there is a lot, it is a tale that resonates strongly today.