Birmingham Rep’s school holidays production fails to impress Jessica Harris.
Theatre shows aimed at pre-teens are pretty thin on the ground. Those with a boy who is both sensitive and caring, as well as inquiring and smart, as the central character are yet more scarce. So an adaptation of the book, The Boy with Wings, by Lenny Henry is a welcome addition to the stage. And with Tunde, a twelve-year-old, at the centre of the story, this production has all the right ingredients to help it take off.
For one thing, there is plenty of plot. There is the mysterious absence of Tunde’s father, coupled with the peculiar behaviour of his mother. “Stay indoors,” she says. “The outside is dangerous.” Then there is the arrival of an alien cat who enters with a meow, but when she presses a button on her spacesuit, her cat-like sounds turn into speech – rhyming speech at that. That’s not to forget interstellar travel, parkour and the support of your best mates as you go through tough times.
And there are relatable characters. Tunde is scared at night when his dreams get wild. He knows his mother loves him, but sometimes just doesn’t understand her. He loves being with his friends. Yet, above all, he needs answers to his questions.
Best mates Kylie and Dev are equally recognisable. Kylie is a groover and just brilliant with rap. Dev is a freerunner – a parkour expert. Both look like real fun to be around.
All the while, the story digs down deep, shining a light onto issues that can play on young minds. Why does war occur? Why do lifestyles need to conform? And why can’t we get answers to questions? Sure, the truth can be frightening, but not knowing what you have to deal with is worse.
The potential is all there. So it was a shame that the production did not make the best of it. The use of headsets by the actors seemed to subdue their performances. Moments with potential for heightened drama were underplayed and long narrative section explaining parts of the plot felt like too much telling and not enough showing. Parkour scenes that relied on video projection didn’t fully work. Overall, a sense of flow was missing.
The second half of the show was more dynamic than the first, and there was some excellent rapping, particularly by Millie Elkins-Green as Kylie, whose dynamism was energising. And it should be said that the young audience on press night clearly connected with the characters. They enjoyed the moments of interaction and went out singing along with the final song.
The Boy with Wings has an imaginative story, strong visual elements, an integrated cast, and moments that were very enjoyable. A solid enough piece of theatre, it somehow never really flies.
Based on the book by Sir Lenny Henry, the writer of the stage play was Arvind Ethan David. The director was Daniel Bailey. Tunde was played by Adiel Boboye, Juba by Jessica Murrain, Kylie by Millie Elkins-Green, Dev by Samir Mahat, Aaven by Stephan Boyce and Ruth by Mia Jerome.
It runs at the Birmingham Rep until 30th August. For further information visit birmingham-rep.co.uk.
