[Theatre and Physical Theatre/True Life ~ UK] 

The Studio at Holden Street Theatres, Wed 14 Feb, 2024. 

This is a play with a lot to say and it says it loudly! Performed in the round with no props comedian turned actor Mark Thomas flings himself into the part of a boy, known only as ‘Son’, with great energy, conviction and heart.

Written by Thomas’s friend and sometime collaborator, prolific writer Ed Edward, this play was an award winner at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe. The plot is a somewhat harrowing tale of a young working class boy caught up in a violent home during the Thatcher years. Hints of Ghost Town by The Specials help to give context. The protagonist known only as ‘the son’ is subsequently brutalised as he tries to survive the social services and juvenile justice policies of that time.

There is a political and allegorical subplot underpinning the script. The father’s name is England and his nickname is Bulldog. He was once a soldier during the Malaysia uprisings. He believes in the might and right of British power. Upon his return he continues to lord it over his family with disastrous consequences.

Thomas is especially compelling as he turns himself convincingly into the various characters. His ability to transform into an eight year old boy skipping around the stage, yearning for approval from his bullying father is especially poignant. Then he morphs with ease into a lost teen trying to dampen the anger and despair by undertaking the ‘thrill of the moment’-type escapades involving theft and drugs. Finally we see the son spiral and Thomas’s portrayal ranges from cheekiness to full throttle.

This performance is not for everyone – the story will be too bleak for some. Thankfully all this bleakness is tempered with some sardonic humour and some clever moments involving the audience. At these times it is easy to see Thomas’s background in comedy and his ease as a performer. Come and see for yourself.