Boys From The Blackstuff - review

James Graham of Dear England fame has adapted Alan Bleasdale's legendary 1980s TV series for the theatre. Does it work as a stage play? asks Paul Seven Lewis. Is the unforgettable Yosser 'Gissa job' Hughes as memorable when played by Barry Sloane on stage as he was on screen? Are the stories of unemployed men working for cash while collecting benefits as moving today as back in the 80s? Nathan McMullen plays Chrissie, Philip Whitchurch is George, Aron Julius is Loggo and Mark Womack is Dixie. Other parts are played by Dominic Carter, Lauren O'Neill, George Caple, Jamie Peacock and Hayley Sheen. The production originated at Liverpool's Royal Court in September 2023 before going to the National Theatre in May 2024 and then to the Garrick Theatre in the West End. The director is Kate Wasserberg, the design is by Amy Jane Cook and the video is designed by Jamie Jenkin.
Boys From The Blackstuff can be seen at the Garrick until 3 August 2024. Tickets are available from thegarricktheatre.co.uk/tickets
Paul was given a review ticket by the producers.
Production photos used in this review are by Alistair Muir.
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[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

I’m glad you liked my review. You’re right about the songs- I wish I’d said a bit more about them.

[@postmanpat2964]

Great video. I thought it was a great play. Something I really enjoyed was the use of singing, it felt a lot better woven in that in London Tide. I agree that Yosser (if that’s how you spell it) was a particularly strong performance.

[@thomasscottwilliams6672]

I remembered this from growing up to the tv series, saw it at the National a few weeks ago, I thought some of the set movement was unnecessary and temporarily took me out of the play, I agree that the death scene brings an emotional impact and connection, the comedic scene brilliantly on point, it was good but not great, prescient to today as it was in the 80’s in the disparity of mental health and wealth inequality.

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

Yes, too busy. I think it would have worked better if the play had centered on Yosser and, say, Chrissie.