ADHD, loneliness, aging, hearing loss, connection and community Boy on the Roof is the story of an unlikely friendship
Created through Community Conversations across the UK, gathering people’s experiences of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), loneliness, aging, hearing loss, connection and community, Vamos Theatre’s Boy on the Roof is the story of an unlikely friendship, where acceptance, understanding and love find their way to centre stage.
Vamos Theatre: Boy on the Roof at the Corn Exchange, Newbury, on Thursday, March 7.
Review by ROBIN STRAPP
VAMOS Theatre make a welcomed return to the Corn Exchange with a moving, heartrending and impressive production Boy on the Roof.
The entire play is skilfully performed without words and the cast wear Vamos’ trademark masks to create the characters with subtle carefully observed movements and imposing physicality.
It follows the unlikely friendship between Albert (Alan Riley), a lonely pensioner suffering from hearing loss who has lost his wife and is feeling isolated and a teenage boy, Liam (Gavin Maxwell), who has ADHD.
He lives with his frustrated, overworked mum and surly Dad (James Greaves.) as they try to come to terms with his diagnosis.
Every morning is a struggle to get Liam dressed and off to school. He’s not doing well there and his teachers are constantly complaining about his behaviour, attitude and lack of progress, highlighting their lack of understanding of ADHD.
Following intensive research, the play sensitively explores the relationships between the residents living in the street’s stark terraced houses.
Carl Davies’ practical set cleverly reveals the roof and the interiors of the homes and is imaginatively enhanced by the stunning projection design by Daniel Hill where the action on the street is seen through two windows and we also have glimpses of life inside the houses. Liam’s disturbed confused mind is presented through psychedelic images and text messages.
All three actors multi-role play several characters, including Liam's mum and a single father who is not coping having to look after his constantly crying baby. Their quick changes are breathtakingly fast.
A wrongly delivered Amazon parcel brings Albert to Liam’s house and a burgeoning friendship develops between them with Liam helping Albert with his mobile phone and Albert the first to congratulate Liam on winning his football trophy. A small triumph.
As the bond between them forms, they play chess together and an understanding of each other’s situation develops.
When Liam finds the pressure of life too great, he seeks solace by climbing onto the roof and stares at the stars.
Strikingly directed by Rachael Savage with an emotive score by Jamie Amour and Sam Glossop this was an outstanding production.
