Writer: Malorie Blackman
Adapter: Winsome Pinnock
Director: Tristan Flynn-Aiduenu
When you’re thirteen you can have many worries – how are you getting on with your teachers, do your friends 
really like you, can you beat the record for the Deep Dive Challenge? One thing most don’t have to worry about is where they’re going to find a new heart or what the implications of that may be.
Cameron suffered from a virus when he was young, and since then, his heart hasn’t worked properly – and now it is failing. He’s been waiting for a suitable donor, but none has turned up. Then his parents find an unorthodox doctor, a man who suggests a ground-breaking procedure that might save his life. What if, instead of a human heart, an animal heart were transplanted? Would it work, and what might the reaction be of his friends, his family, or the public if news got out?
It’s been nearly 30 years since Malorie Blackman’s book was written, and times have changed. What was almost science fiction then has become reality – though so far with limited results. What hasn’t changed is the attitudes and reactions of some people. The play is set in a time before social media (wise considering what other cans of worms that would open), but it still serves to highlight the issues that were as prevalent then as they are now. It’s aimed at young people from the age of eight (though that’s perhaps a little too young) to early teenagers, and raises a lot of opportunities for post-show discussion with questions around mortality, animal rights, friendships and relationships, temptation, press intrusion, etc.
There are some good and memorable performances from the small cast who almost all cover many roles each. Immanuel Yeboah’s Cameron is hardly off-stage, demonstrating well the thoughts and concerns of someone who’s faced with his situation as he struggles to balance the conflicting issues he’s faced with. Akil Young (Mike) and Christine During (Cathy) come across well as Cameron’s sparring parents, brought back together when circumstances change unexpectedly, with Tré Medley giving us a calm and measured Dr Bryce. Fighting to steal the show though are Christina Ngoyi as Cameron’s best friend Marilyn doubling as Dr Bryce’s over-the-top assistant, and Chia Phoenix as Cameron’s Nan, doubling as a very memorable Trudy the pig.
Designer Paul Wills and lighting designer Andrew Exeter have produced an apt design, a pulsing heart surrounded by glowing arteries, surrounded by video screens that become TVs, medical monitors and so on, with a series of multi-use boxes that can be seats or platforms. Colours and patterns change representing the location and mood – bright blue of water, stark white, blood red.
It’s a production that’s aimed squarely at its target audience – full of ideas, bright and moving at pace, with two very short acts giving a running time that allows school parties to be in and out during half a school day. There’s a lot going on to keep the attention of a younger audience, and plenty to talk about afterwards, with enough there to engage the adults with food for thought too.
Runs until 5 April 2025 and on tour
