Buy cheap tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong
Tagged

Tagged follows Glaswegian teens Seanette and Lynn as they navigate a cycle of crime, reoffending and breaching court orders.

There are some sweetly comedic sections, including Seanette not wanting shoplifting to tarnish her reputation - as a more experienced criminal

Seanette likes going out on the town and getting “mad with it”. Lynn’s more reflective, a heavy drinker who writes bad poems and pretends her estranged mum is dead. Their crimes aren’t specified, but shoplifting and general lairiness feature heavily, and both are electronically tagged as a result.

The actors do well with a script that’s confusingly-written. So many lines start with “I don’t know” that it’s a wonder they’re able to keep their places, though occasionally garbled delivery means key moments aren’t especially clear. The writing is fairly obvious, and some phrases feel out of place in the characters mouths: “we have to go through this charade - a bureaucratic dance if you will”. But there are some sweetly comedic sections, including Seanette not wanting shoplifting to tarnish her reputation - as a more experienced criminal.

The programme promises to “explore the issues that cause young people to act out and the challenges that confront them when trying to change”. Tagged doesn’t quite achieve this: there’s little emotional depth given the weighty subject matter, and the young actors would benefit from more gravitas. “It’s the only happiness I’ve ever known,” Lynn says of her alcohol dependency. Seanette confides in us, “to tell you the truth, I kinda like going to jail. Good to get away for a while and reflect”. The flippancy of such statements comes across as a little simplistic.

Tagged is at its most engaging when Lynn discusses a myth that “everyone has two wolves inside of them” - one obsessed with violence and rage, the other representing friendship. This duality is nicely reflected in the costume: the hoods of the red and grey tracksuits worn by the performers make them both wolf and Red Riding Hood simultaneously. The idea of victim and perpetrator is an interesting one in relation to youth crime, and while it feels like a sudden attempt to add some concluding symbolism to the plot, they would do well to explore it further.

The writing isn’t as insightful as it wants to be, and the performers look far too youthfully rosy to believably be “a threat to society”. There’s not much grit here, but Tagged is nonetheless an endearing production from two playful young performers.

Reviews by Lanikai KT

Assembly George Square Gardens

Wrecked

★★★
Assembly George Square Theatre

Andrew Maxwell: Slight Return

★★
Pleasance Courtyard

Birthday Girls: Sh!t Hot Party Legends

★★★★
theSpace @ Jury's Inn

Tagged

★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

Crimes committed by young women have been increasing. No longer the fairer sex, girls are beginning to catch up with boys for breach of the peace, violence and theft. Tagged follows two girls, Seanette and Lynn, who are caught in a cycle of reoffending and breaching court orders. The story follows their ups and downs whilst Tagged on probation and explores the issues that cause young people to act out and the challenges that confront them when trying to change.
Buy cheap tickets for Book Of Mormon
Buy cheap tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for The Marriage of Figaro
The Marriage of Figaro

From £13.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Figaro: An Original Musical
Figaro: An Original Musical

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Matilda
Matilda

From £25.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Hamilton
Hamilton

From £25.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Devil Wears Prada
The Devil Wears Prada

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Mean Girls
Mean Girls

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Anne Frank
Buy cheap tickets for Circa Duck Pond
Buy cheap tickets for Juno and the Paycock
Buy cheap tickets for Book of Mormon
Buy cheap tickets for The Buddha of Suburbia
Buy cheap tickets for How to Survive Your Mother
Buy cheap tickets for Cyrano
Buy cheap tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong
Buy cheap tickets for Giant
Buy cheap tickets for Play On