Boys from the Blackstuff – Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool

Writer: Alan Bleasdale

Adapter: James Graham

Director: Kate Wasserberg

Returning to Liverpool’s Royal Court after a ‘smash hit’ success back in 2023, Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff is back to give Liverpool one last look before it takes to London’s West End. Alan Bleasdale’s ‘seminal hit drama series’ looks at the rife unemployment of early 80’s Liverpool, following the lives of five men, Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser, and how it has affected them and their families. With layers of dichotomy and nuance, James Graham’s adaptation of the BBC classic has projected well on stage.

Graham’s adaptation shows the many depictions of the effects of unemployment throughout L8. While also showing the lives of the jobless tarmacers and the strain on their families. It shows us the conflict of the Liverpudlians working for the Department of Employment and the ‘sniffers’ investigating fraud in their own communities. The play beautifully demonstrates the ‘dog eat dog’ world they live in and how that Scouse spirit is still ever present today.

The overall production is astounding. Height is created on stage with scaffolding and background cranes of the docks create a looming presence of the anxiety of joblessness that was held against the characters of the play. Beautifully choreographed scene transitions and fight scenes create fluidity and impactful story arcs. The use of cable suspension and choreographed movement brought to life the show’s pinnacle moments with ease and grace.

Performances throughout the entire cast must be applauded. Although this reviewer was barely a star in the sky when the original Boys from the Blackstuff was conceived, the characters are brought to life immaculately through perfect costume design and characterisation. What rang true of the productions is the fact every Liverpudlian has met a variation of every character in real life.

The character of Chrissie is brought to life by Nathan McMullen. Chrissie’s character represents the everyman of 1980’s Liverpool – queuing up at the job centre, taking cash in hand jobs. Chrissie is a proud man but to the detriment of his own well-being. McMullen’s performance perfectly drives the play to where it needs to go with impactful emotion and drive.

A stand out performance is given by Barry Sloane as Yosser, a man on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Having not fulfilled his own expectations in life by losing his job, his wife and his kids; he is constantly crossing the line of anger and desperation. Sloane gives us a portrayal full of great comedic timing with a constant build-up of pressure that could explode at any moment..

Boys from the Blackstuff is a must see while it is still at the Royal Court, but you can catch it at the National Theatre and then at The Garrick Theatre in London this summer. The collaboration of all involved have created a masterpiece – a beautifully tragic depiction of Liverpool’s harsh but all too familiar history

Runs until 11 May 2024