When you were at school where did you fit? Were you one of the nerds, a jock, an insecure loner, a leader, badass, bully, bullied, teachers pet or just disinterested and desperate to leave. I used to call them Tribes of the Playground – all the sets and sub sets of the weird societies that the school system throws together in an adolescent survival of the fittest.
The 7 main characters of Simon Stephen’s PUNK ROCK initially appear to represent some of the stereotypes of teenagers on the cusp of final exams and ultimate adulthood. Set in a Grammar school near Manchester in England, it could easily have followed down the path of the The Breakfast Club with a message of acceptance and understanding of difference and unlikely friendships between the brainiac, the tough natural leader, the insecure girl, the hot chick, sweet but troubled boy, the jock and the new girl.
But the similarities stop at the types and being set in a school.
In PUNK ROCK the characters prowl and revolve around each other in a school common room that is designated for the final year students as they prepare for their mock exams. The sudden appearance of a new girl, Lilly into the fray creates a seismic shift that seems small at first, but the cracks created widen and underground rumblings ultimately explode in the most shocking and confronting scene that left this audience member a devastated mess.
It’s been a long time since I have been so profoundly emotionally distorted by a work of art. And this production is a work of art.
As one character, Chadwick states, “When anti-matter comes in contact with matter, it’s explosive. “
At the tender age of 22, Director Daniel Cottier isn’t that much older than the characters in PUNK ROCK and maybe that is one of the reasons why this production completely lifts off the page into a kaleidoscope of shifting emotions and alliances. Assistant Director Stephanie Cuncliffe-Jones is a similar age and it has clearly been an effective directorial duo as the pace and energy of this production has been expertly manipulated and the performances consistently amazing.
It’s easy to fall into stereotype, but no one does. All of the characters are unattractive at times; manipulative, passive, cowardly, complicate, deceitful and dishonest and yet all are also equally likeable and deserving of one another’s friendship and support. The alliances shift and waver, but they undoubtedly are a group and this makes the whole series of events that much more horrifying.
Scott Eveleigh as the likeable but confused William is a total revelation. This is a powerful and mesmerising performance and Scott maintains a focus, depth of understanding and energetic tension that belies his age. His dance background informs his physical narrative and command and we witness the tension build in William as he prowls, interacts with and observes the others. This is the best yet from an already accomplished and awarded actor.
Georgia Hicks-Jones gives great depth to the self-harming catalytic character of Lilly, who arrives at Stockport having moved schools several times as her academic father switches universities. Lilly has developed a wary observation and quick evaluation of others and in this role Hicks-Jones demonstrates pitch perfect timing and an uncanny ability to create a dynamic with the others on stage.
The oddball brainiac, Chadwick, (Lindsay McDonald) is the perfect foil and target for the alpha male bullying “What date are the exams?” Bennett (a suitably menacing Jerry Ray). But this is no straightforward bully/victim scenario. Bennett is battling his sexuality issues and Chadwick gives back as good as he gets in a diatribe that encapsulates the misery, lack of faith in the future and humanity in general of their generation. The electric relationship between these two is frightening.
The other “types” drawn into the fracas, the sexually appealing lacrosse playing Nicholas (Paul Predny), the academically smart but romantically stupid “hot girl” Cissy (Sarah Gordon) and the dumpy side-kick with a good heart, Tanya (Charlotte De Wit) add to the escalating tension of this bunch of damaged goods. It’s a strong ensemble.
A punk rock soundtrack punctuates the scenes with grabs from bands like The White Stripes, underscoring the building tension and simmering violence.
Simon Stephens is a prolific playwright with over 20 stage plays, plus radio and screenwriting credits. PUNK ROCK was first produced in 2009 and was quickly picked up by Drama Education for 6th formers in England, as well as a few other places.
It’s the contemporary History Boys, Lord of the Flies, Catcher in the Rye locking into the current zeitgeist of angst that pervades many young adults as they are about to sit the important final exams and bust out of the cocoon of school into adulthood. For some, the pressure is overwhelming and while it would be easy to say it has all been done before, that would be dismissive of the very real complexity of being a young adult about to step up to taking your place in the world today.
Producers Stooged Theatre continues to bring to our town innovative and interesting work and this reviewer is grateful for their existence. PUNK ROCK builds on their already considerable reputation of nurturing young talent and presenting cutting edge productions. This is arguably one of their best and if you get a chance, go see it.
PUNK ROCK will play at the Civic Playhouse until the 12th March. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketek.