Connor Sparrowhawk died this morning. He tells us so in the opening line of Stephen Unwin’s revealing play, Laughing Boy, at Jermyn Street Theatre. But it didn't have to be.
An engaging blend of tragedy and triumph
The play is an adaptation of the book, Justice for Laughing Boy, written by his mother, Sara Ryan, an academic specialising in learning disabilities and autism. Connor was a fun-loving, adorable boy with a passion for life, London buses, Eddie Stobbart Lorries and Lego, amongst other things. He lived with his family for eighteen years, during which time his autism and learning difficulties were just part of his being Connor. Then he started to have outbursts of aggression and soon his unpredictable violence became too much to handle at home. On the recommendation of a friend, his mother placed him in Slade House Assessment and Treatment Unit, Oxfordshire, run by Southern Health, a NHS Trust. He survived only 107 days there before being found dead in his bath following an epileptic seizure.
Both an inquest and inquiry found a catalogue of failures and shortcomings that contributed to death, which was avoidable. This is all revealed in the play, along with the campaign for justice led by his mther through the organisation FLAME. There is a lot of material at an informative level but it’s balanced by the tenderness and love of Connor’s family in contrast to the cold, detached responses of those trying to escape blame and save themselves.
Five actors, Lee Braithwaite, Charlie Ives, Forbes Masson, Molly Osborne and Daniel Rainford form an ensemble who remain on stage throghout and take on numerous roles adopting a range of accents and creating easily identifiable characters. In an endearing performance, Alfie Friedman beautifully portrays Connor’s youthfulness, enthusiasm for life and sense of what is right, while Janie Dee, as his mothe, runs the gamut of emotions that would befall any mother who had lost her son, but also reveals the woman of guts and determination who takes on the establishment and eventually wins.
A simple set of just some chairs leaves space in this tiny setting for plenty of movement and grouping. A white arc of screen forms a backdrop from one side of the stage to the other. Against this, an array of lighting, projections and video footage form an enhancing addition to the story. Credit for this to designer Simon Higlett, with lighting design by Ben Omerod, sound design by Holly Khan, video design by Matt Powell and SFX design by Anna Wood.
Laughing Boy, tells of the death of the eponymous hero, but is in many ways a joyous celebration of his life; of change brought about for the benefit of others and the power of unrelentingly fighting for justice; an engaging blend of tragedy and triumph.
