Road explores the lives of people in the North of England at the time of Margaret Thatcher’s huge industrial cuts when unemployment levels soared. It conveys the desperation and abandonment that the North felt, with the jobless population at nearly 12%, levels not seen since the Great Depression. Although written in 1986, the current double-dip rescession makes Road almost as relevant now as it was then. Director Julian Kerridge writes in the programme, shortly after they started advertising the play Margaret Thatcher passed away. Central to this period, she split the country and the plot gives an insight into the lives of those who felt forgotten by the rest of Great Britain. It tells the story of a down trodden street in the North, where the inhabitants feel they have nothing to live for.
Kerridge set this performance on a transverse stage making effective use of doors on each side to give a naturalistic feel. It also made it a lot more intimate for the audience and felt as if we were part of the road. The show was hilariously led by Martin Jenkins playing Scullery, a humorous and confident drunkard, who carried the audience throughout. There was also an impressive performance by Kate Adler, switching between roles like a pro. Soldier Sean Williams has the entire audience in stitches throughout. Each character is just looking for some way to escape, but every night seems to end the same, in a gutter, drunk, just looking for a distraction.
Although slightly long winded; this production will leave you thoroughly impressed. You won’t feel uplifted or even particularly inspired but you will feel extremely grateful. Grateful for your job, family and all the luxuries in life we take for granted. But hopefully, most importantly, you will be grateful I told you to go and see this play.
