
Everything about this production, staged in the round and directed by Marianne Elliott, deserves praise: design, lighting, movement, sound, and of course the excellent ensemble acting. Being presented in the round, it has little physical set to speak of, but believe me it really works; you will most certainly feel sympathy for the play’s fifteen year old hero as he makes his way across London, goes up escalators for the first time, is forced to enter crowded commuter trains, and you will definitely fear for his life when a tube train hurtles towards him! This really is a piece of magical theatre and deserves the praise already heaped in large quantities upon it. It was nominated in eight categories at last year’s Olivier awards and actually won in seven, including the coveted Best Actor award for its leading actor Luke Treadaway and Best New Play. This NTLive encore screening is still doing the rounds throughout May/June; the play resumes in London in June, after rain damage to the theatre forced it to close suddenly; it starts its Broadway run in September; also, a UK and Ireland tour in December.
Definitely one to catch!