AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of an honest review
Based on the novel with the same name by Malorie Blackman's Pig Heart Boy, follows schoolboy Cameron, who is in need of a heart transplant, but though all Cameron wants is to live a normal life, when finally an opportunity comes to have the needed transplant. Now Cameron is left with the decision to decide to go ahead to what is an already a life changing transplant, and to go with one that is unheard of.
Adapted by Winsome Pinnock and directed by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, Pig Heart Boy is a show that yes does have some good elements but to me personally there are some areas that could have been done differently.
Directed by Tristan Flynn-Aiduenu, Flynn-Aiduenu starts the show with Cameron (Immanuel Yeboah) on stage directing the dialogue towards the audience, this is nice and helps build Cameron's story. Flynn-Aiduenu carries the uses of direct audience address throughout some places of the piece which allows more of a connection with Cameron, with Flynn-Aiduenu also adding a slight bit of interaction with the audience, with getting us to do a breathing exercise which added to me a likeable addition that did get involvement.
Flynn-Aiduenu directs the show with nice balanced energy with calmer moments of the piece feeling not rushed as they could of been within the shows 90 minute duration.
Flynn-Aiduenu's direction effectively shows various important moments of the story which is clear and has help from designer Paul Wills TV screen showing a stop and rewind, these moments are swift in getting in and out of them and added more understanding to the character and story. Flynn-Aiduenu's uses Wills set design well by using boxes as diving platforms, school chairs and a TV studio, but also uses the metal structure at the back of the stage for various locations. There's some nice moments between Cameron's friends and family especially with Chia Phoenix (who plays Nan and various other roles) which does bring out a connection between the characters. Flynn-Aiduenu's direction is good and clever throughout, with all the direction being nicely done.
Flynn-Aiduenu's direction interlinks with DK Fashola's movement Fashola's movement shows moments during the transplant quite well, these slow moves show the stages of procedure well and are right for the show's target audience. The expressive moves show each stage clearly with Fashola's movement showing the transplant in theatrical setting well and would be easily understood by younger audience members. But from my perspective the movement choices didn't quite deliver what I thought they would, but understand that the target audience was maybe not me, but younger. This for me felt like it could have been interpreted in a different way to provide a better message to the audience, but this is from my perspective.
Winsome Pinnock's book is a good balanced mixture of warming moments to also some funny dialogue. Pinnock's funny moments at times are a nice addition to what is a serious and important topic, themes and story. Pinnock's dialogue is important and is well written with a script not overly adding in complex medical wordings, with only ones that are necessary and will be understood. Plus Pinnock takes the complex themes of the show and delivers them in suitably. Pinnock's writing during Yeboah's direct moments, do the job of adding to the character, while also creating nice dialogue that goes well the Flynn-Aiduenu's direction between Phoenix and Yeboah towards the end of the show and writes a nice friendship between Yeboah and Christina Ngoyi (who plays Marilyn and other characters). Not only does Pinnock tackle the complex themes, but also shows responses after his procedure which is strong and somewhat powerful in its delivery in the direction and writing.
Pinnock writes many good characters for the family who individually express their thoughts about the transplant. Pinnock's adaption of Malorie Blackman's novel is a heartfelt production with slight humour. Pinnock's book is something that will provide an important education to many, not just for the young members of the audience, but for all and something that can be tricky to talk about.
The cast multirole (apart from Yeboah) various characters, the small cast do an excellent job in switching from character to character from scene to scene. I have a few notable mentions Tré Medley, who plays Dr Bryce and Andrew, who brings out a confident Doctor. Also Christine During who showed a loving mother in Cathy but also a worried school friend in Julie.
Immanuel Yeboah who plays Cameron delivers an impressive performance throughout the 90 minutes giving good stage presence throughout. Yeboah successfully engages us as an audience during the interaction moments, with also showing a determined character and having good connection to other members of the cast members. Yeboah also balances out the energy in the performance with it being the right amount needed for this tone of the show. Yeboah's performance is very much admired.
Christina Ngoyi plays various roles Marilyn / Elrich and presenter. Ngoyi a likeable friend as Marilyn who wants to care for Cameron, you can see their friendship clearly change as the show goes on and Ngoyi plays on this well. While also Ngoyi slickly switches from other characters with skill. Ngoyi's performance is likeable with good characterisation throughout.
Paul Wills set design uses a tall metal structure that is used throughout the show with addition of TV's, which showed various things to help the stories locations. With what seems like pipe's that intertwines the structure, was used for Andrew Exeter's lighting design which had a mix of deep and dark colours, but also lighter ones too, with the colour really taking you from location to location.
Overall Pig Heart Boy tackles subject matters that are tricky to speak of, it feels it has an educational approach, with having understandable dialogue and clever direction. It's a piece that will have a great response from audiences, it is heartfelt, important and is smartly done.
★★★★
Pig Heart Boy plays at the Sheffield Crucible playhouse until Saturday 15th of March.
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