I’ve been looking for an excuse to visit the region’s newest theatre, The Blue Orange, for some time. My big chance came in the shape of Tracey Street’s iconic production of this wonderful modern play about homeless young people and their struggle to survive. Am I glad I did.
This is a story of drifting souls who form fleeting alliances and for whom fate dictates shifting destinies. They have few choices yet still strive to survive. Their crime is being young, losers who never asked to be born. But even at these depths there are winners, either of the spirit or more worryingly through preying on those even weaker than themselves.
There’s a host of wonderful characters here played by a cast simply stacked with hand-picked talent.
First there’s Sean, the no-doubt-bullied-at-school camp lad, wonderfully played by Elliott Brennan, who has claimed his space in the world as a shoplifting den-mother for delinquents.
Then there’s Tony, the black lad who manages to stay aloof from life until painfully dragged into agonising self-knowledge. Trust me, Ryan McKen is a star in the making.
Sian Blue Rogers is simply beautiful as Julie who lives only for the moment but expects, and gets, her betrayal, while Louis Tappenden compels compassion as Steve the young rent lad who loves her, but whose own sexual fluidity has a price.
Anthony Fearnley as Ape is one of the most talented character actors I have seen in a long while, able to morph at will into unrecognisable strangers. His creepy punter had me on the edge of my seat.
But the ultimate accolade must go to Lyle Mitchell as the new boy on the scene, fresh from his time in The Shrubberies, the children’s “home” he has barely survived. His is a performance of rare merit. If he stays in acting the big roles will be his by right; he has humility and grace, and will ennoble lesser parts.
Playing By The Rules is a mini-epic of what life is life for some young people now – with a million of them currently unemployed and no sign of this being sorted it’s problem that isn’t going to go away. It is a play of deep humanity that shows young life in the raw, and I feel privileged to have watched Ms Street’s seemingly effortless production of this great modern work.
If you’re easily offended, stay away. This is life, cruel, fresh, raw, loving, hating, brutal, tender, beautiful, risk-taking in every way, and I believed every word. You have been warned.
Playing By The Rules runs until Saturday (January 28). For tickets phone the Blue Orange Theatre on 0121 212 2643 or go online at www.blueorangetheatre.co.uk.
