4 STARS, April 19-30. "Overall, this is a fresh and innovative musical with some standout acting", says Aliya Al-Hassan
A musical about a group of children building a playground does not sound the most promising premise for a hit production. Harry Potter and The Cursed Child writer Jack Thorne has gone back to his roots, inspired by the work of his father to build a playground in his Bristolian hometown.
Set in 1979, the gritty town of Lockleaze is not an easy place to be a teenager. No one has any money and there’s nothing to do. Thorne’s father Mick becomes Rick, a hippy with a heart from Walthamstow, who thinks that bringing the area’s unhappy and damaged children together to build a playground out of junk will give them something to focus on and care about.
At first the children are derisive and mocking, but a subtle shift occurs and they start to invest their time and effort into something solid and real. However, this is not a trite fairy story where the children skip off with a renewed sense of purpose. There is much more substance to this play.
At first it may seem odd that a cast of predominantly young teenagers is played by adults, but it quickly becomes obvious why. Junkyard is not a family musical; there is bad language of the worst kind littered throughout and the underlying themes of abuse, neglect and abandonment are apparent and raw. What is clever about the production is that amongst this is a superb sense of hope, friendship and comedy.
Among a brilliant cast, Erin Doherty is a standout in one of the lead roles as Fiz. Rude, fiercely intelligent and foul-mouthed, she is a ball of mischievous energy and fun. Enyi Okoronkwo has created a beautifully crafted character as the sensitive Talc. He totally encapsulates the body language and quiet speech of a typically self-conscious teenager.
Josef Davies and Jack Riddiford are both brilliant as Ginger and Higgy; prone to violence, promiscuity and apathy, they encapsulate young teenagers without ever slipping into parody.
Stephen Warbeck's striped back music features brilliantly rhythmic piano, bass and drums. The actors often add to the percussion by drumming on the set itself. Much of the music is far from traditional and draws from a ska-influenced base. It’s what you can imagine Suggs would compose if he was feeling particularly angry about something. This does mean that some lyrics are overly simplistic and not particularly clever or subtle; “the teacher is a prat, he thinks he’s where it’s at” is a typical line. However, the stark honesty of much of the music is often both touching and funny.
Chiara Stephenson has put together a highly creative set; effectively a pile of junk that is built up and knocked down. Director Jeremy Herrin makes full use of the various and many sections for the cast to climb on and around, giving the audience a constantly changing visual.
As with any junkyard, there are a few rough edges that could be smoothed out. The conclusion about the future of the playground is a little saccharine and has unnecessary political posturing. The audience is already invested and realises the importance of young people having a place to be themselves without it being spelt out.
Overall, this is a fresh and innovative musical with some standout acting-just don’t take your grandmother.
- For tickets visit rosetheatrekingston.org
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