Jonathan Harvey’s play Beautiful Thing is doing the rounds again – marking its 20th anniversary. It’s a great story that deserves a revival, and this one, with the confident and accomplished Charlie Brooks (from EastEnders) brought a great energy to the production.
Set in an inner city London council estate, Harvey’s sparkily-written script tells the story of Jamie (Sam Jackson) and his fledging relationship with a school mate, Ste (Thomas Law), who lives with his violent father. Tagging along is Leah (Vanessa Babirye) whose love affair with Mama Cass makes for a great musical experience.
The characters lead messy lives – Jamie’s mum Sandra is keen to get on in life and is in a relationship with the arty Tony (Gerard McCarthy). Initially, one wonders why such an odd pairing could meet and be together; but of course this fits in with love, and all its modern-day forms, including acceptance.
As for the themes, it continues to be a brilliant exploration of the fear and prejudices gay people continue to suffer. Sandra and Tony are unusually enlightened, not a doubt is raised that Jamie and Ste’s love is anything but genuine. This surely is not the case with same-sex relationships – even today in our more permissive society. Is it Harvey’s way of giving us a bittersweet ending? For while the protagonists end with the one they love (or not), one is left feeling their future beyond is not always as blissful as the heart-warming ending.
Harvey wrote Beautiful Thing when he was just 24 and it does seem to have aged somewhat. Cultural references such as ‘Wincey Willis’ fell flat with this mostly young audience. That said, life has changed little enough to make this revival directed by Nikolai Foster well worth seeing.
One for your A level students, definitely.
The tour continues until July. Visit: www.beautthing.com for details.
Review by Lesley Finlay