Andrea Horrocks
(2 Reviews)

WONDER BOY IS FULL OF HEART AND HUMOUR BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, AN INTELLIGENT EXPLORATION OF ALL TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

As I headed to Lowry this evening to see Wonder Boy I had high expectations.  Written by Ross Willis (Wolfie), directed by Olivier Award winning Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls, Peter Pan), and the winner of The Writers Guild Award 2023 for best play is enough to get anyone intrigued, this coupled with the delicate subject matter meant I was eager to experience first-hand the powerful performances I had heard about and I wasn’t disappointed. 

Wonder Boy delivers a powerful message to everyone about the significance of communication, the role communication plays in our lives and how, when communication is hindered, it can lead to frustration, isolation and loneliness.  The use of movement, facial expressions, sound, lighting and extremely clever captioning encompasses inclusivity in a unique way, and we are treated to a journey which is heartwarming. poignant and hilarious.

Ross Willis’ brilliant writing transports us to an inner-city school where f-bomb expletives are a plenty from both the students and the teachers.  Hilson Agbangbe makes his confident professional debut playing Sonny, a twelve year old boy navigating the innumerous challenges faced by young people growing up.  However, Sonny has an additional challenge, he has a stammer and Wonder Boy is a heart-felt exploration of the challenges he is facing.  

We are taken on a journey through a snapshot of Sonny’s life, he has been cast in his school production of Hamlet and to be a success he is going to have to overcome his stammer and learn to speak more fluently.  We experience Sonny’s difficulties in communicating and forming connections with the various individuals around him, both the figures of authority and his peers.  We are invited to share in how he navigates these interpersonal relationships.

Sonny has a childhood superhero imaginary friend whom he created through his hand drawn comic books which are very precious to him.  Captain Chatter, played by Ciaran O’Breen (Lord of the Flies, Can Bears Ski), appears to have been a lifeline for Sonny historically, but as Sonny tries to battle his stammer and make a success of his role in Hamlet, it is possible that Captain Chatter is now holding him back.

From the onset the strong connection between Sonny and Captain Chatter is immediately apparent.  Their synchronised, elegant gesture and movement emphasises their strong bond which goes further than words.  This is relevant and poignant since despite Captain Chatter suggesting a particularly talkative character, he is silent throughout. 

Sonny’s communication difficulties become obvious to us when he is asked to say his name and clearly struggles, stopping on the letter ‘S’ and not getting much further.  Hilson Agbangbe’s powerful performance succeeds in immediately making us empathise with Sonny’s battle, creating an instant connection with the audience.  We feel his frustration even more so when at one point huge letters are literally piled on top of him, he is drowning in his inability to communicate.

Sonny’s new friend and aide, Roshi, played by Naia Elliott-Spence in her professional debut, makes an assured entrance. Roshi is witty, energetic, has a fabulous sense of humour and a wonderful ability to communicate. She can use words fluently, cleverly employing wordplay in stark contrast to Sonny’s lack of communication skills.  Naia Elliott-Spence’s vibrant and engaging performance captures our attention, I just can’t take my eyes off her and Roshi’s positivity is just what Sonny needs as it starts to become clear that Sonny is relying on Captain Chatter as a shield to protect himself from potential failure and from the risks of putting himself out there.

Sonny is also helped along his journey by his supportive teacher, Wainwright played by Eva Scott (Betty!: A sort of Musical, I Wanna Be Yours). Wainwright understands Sonny’s struggles more than he realises and she finds a way to communicate with Sonny, helping him to ‘sliiiiiiide’ his words.  Eva Scott skilfully explores the teacher pupil relationship. She wonderfully conveys Wainwright’s passion for connecting with and helping the kids but also her disenchantment at the limitations and bureaucracy of the school system. 

Wainwright’s passion for teaching is in clear contrast to Miss Fish, the new headteacher, played by Jessica Murrain (As You Like It, King Lear, The Sandman), who is caught up in league tables and tick boxes.  There is a theme of comic book heroes and villains throughout and it appears Miss Fish is a villain.  I feel the cat loving Miss Fish is a somewhat harsh and perhaps at times, unfair representation of senior leadership within the school system but she does represent the extreme and her exaggerated mannerisms are at times very funny which is due to the fabulous timing of Jessica Murrain and her unwavering energy. 

Jessica Murrain also plays the role of Sonny’s Mum, the tenderness she gives the character makes her relationship with Sonny particularly heartbreaking and powerful, highlighting that this is also a story of loss and grief.

Ciaran O’Breen along with movement director Laila Diallo (Oliver Twist, ABBA Voyage) wonderfully convey Captain Chatter’s feelings through beautiful and captivating movement which is also aided by quick, smart captioning by Caption and Video Designer Tom Newell.  The bright dynamic captions play a crucial role in the storytelling and go far beyond serving as subtitles.  Katie Sykes’ set, cleverly transports us to a variety of locations and with the help of Aideen Malone’s lighting also incorporates the crucial screen surrounded by a neon light, looking like a comic book frame.  It is this screen which comes to life throughout the performance with interesting, dynamic, colourful text and pictures with the added bonus of a comic book ‘kapow’ here and there.  The characters interact with the captions and pictures and the timing of these innumerable cues was excellent.

Wonder Boy is a fast-paced story, at 100 minutes with no interval it has a powerful impact.  It is full of heart and humour where you find yourself laughing one minute and crying the next but more importantly it is an intelligent exploration of all types of communication.  As I left the theatre and had time to ponder, I was left contemplating the communication skills I take for granted each day.

WE SCORE WONDER BOY...

HERE YOU COME AGAIN IS A JOYFUL CELEBRATION OF DOLLY PARTON'S MUSIC- A REAL TREAT FOR ALL TO ENJOY!

As a huge lover of country music I was thrilled to grab my cowboy boots and head to The Lowry to watch Dolly Parton’s biggest hits come to life in the new musical Here You Come Again. Dolly Parton's infectious spirit and uplifting presence first captivated me in the 1980s film "9 to 5", I then went on to discover her music and like so many people, a piece of her heart found its way into mine.  I was extremely excited to see how this country legend’s songs and her presence would be presented on the stage. 

The atmosphere in the theatre was buzzing, devoted fans and curious newcomers settled in to be entertained by the heartfelt storytelling music Dolly Parton is so well known for. We spotted a few cowboy hats and boots ready to start some country toe tappin’ to Dolly Parton’s greatest hits including Jolene, Islands in the Stream, 9 to 5 and I will Always Love You.

We are immediately transported to 2020, toilet rolls included, it is lockdown and aspiring comedian Kevin Rutter literally climbs into his attic bedroom in his parent’s home.  The audience is already laughing, the tone seems to be set, since the whole audience can relate to lockdown we are all chuckling at the lockdown references and we are immediately connecting with Kevin. 

Kevin, played by Steven Webb (Oliver!, Book of Mormon) is clearly a huge Dolly Parton fan, the attic room is littered with Dolly posters and memorabilia but Kevin is depressed, his self-confidence at a low, the effects of lockdown have truly hit and although he is doing his best to put on a brave face, he is lacking focus and is in desperate need of some cheering up and direction.  At a crisis moment the warmth, charisma and wisdom of Dolly Parton is required, he puts on a Dolly Parton record, well known for her desire to help people, this is surely just what Kevin needs. ‘What would Dolly do?’

Dolly Parton played by Tricia Paoluccio (Fiddler on the Roof, The Green Bird) magically appears on stage. The contrast between Dolly’s uplifting glamour and Kevin’s current sad situation is evident as Dolly arrives on stage with her radiant smile and glittering attire to help guide Kevin with her lyrics to a brighter future.

From the onset the audience become a part of the action, we are whisked away into the attic with Kevin and Dolly and welcomed to share in the magic.  The set is skilfully designed to feel and look like an attic, with clever lighting, in one moment it feels warm and cosy, then lighting changes and the space becomes a stage for Kevin to perform and then with twinkly lights and sparkles we’re transported into an attic where magic happens and dreams come true.  The props on set skilfully combine the past and present, along with the plentiful Dolly Parton memorabilia there are remnants of his childhood and teenage years.

Tricia Paoluccio was mesmerising, from the moment she appeared on stage she embodied Dolly Parton remarkably with both her unmistakeable sound and personality and commanded the attention of everyone in the room. Her vocal range, wit and humour captivated the audience, and she oozed positivity and hope. 

Steven Webb was superb, his vocals outstanding and he lights up the stage with energy and personality, his engagement with the audience was exceptional, we know Kevin is feeling down on his luck however, we feel his energy and his desire to be optimistic, to catch a break for a better future.  Steven Webb’s remarkable ability to deliver comic timing impeccably makes Kevin an extremely likeable character that the audience can easily connect with.

Joining Dolly and Kevin on stage were an amazing band who provide music and backing vocals along with voices for Kevin’s parents and other additional characters.  The musicians cleverly interact with the space in the attic and their presence adds a visual element that enhanced the engagement of the audience.

We are treated to a journey through the decades with Dolly’s costumes.  The outfits and wigs show how her styling has changed throughout her career, what is evident though in each costume is plenty of sparkle and shine to dazzle us all.

Writers Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre (who also directs) and writer and actor Tricia Paoluccio, along with acclaimed British playwright Jonathan Harvey’s (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Coronation Street) adaptation have created fabulous theatre taking us on Kevin’s heartwarming journey.  Jonathan Harvey has skilfully and successfully combined British humour, Dolly Parton’s storytelling and wit, and contemporary relevance.

When I heard that Here You Come Again was set during COVID lockdown, I had my reservations, worried that this topic is now tired, it’s in the past which is where we want it to stay so we can move on from all the difficulties that ensued.  However, what this musical does is remind us that those difficulties are always relevant and that sometimes we need sparkle, shine, a little help and a whole lot of hope to help us through. 

Country music is fast gathering popularity in the UK and as a fan myself, I can easily see why. It’s not only the catchy riffs and rhythms but the use of storytelling to create song and the personal accounts of love, loss and life experiences which resonate with us.  Perhaps we can all play our country music favourite, immerse ourselves and be guided through difficult times.

Here You Come Again shows how the enduring charm and universal appeal of Dolly Parton's music continues to inspire and entertain audiences across generations but also highlights how Dolly Parton's impact extends far beyond her music and performances and how she has touched countless lives. Here you Come Again certainly touched this audience as the theatre erupted in cheers and whoops with a standing ovation.

Here You Come Again is a joyful celebration of Dolly Parton’s music and heartfelt lyrics, it is a message of hope but is also a whole lot of laughs and fun and will not only have you toe tappin’ but it will leave you feeling like you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

WE SCORE HERE YOU COME AGAIN...

Here You Come Again is on at Lowry, Salford until Sat 2nd November 2024.