Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey was first performed in 1993. 30 years later, for its 30th anniversary revival, this coming-of-age story still delivers a beautiful, raw and uplifting hit of theatrical wonder to its audience.
Now at its last stop on its short tour of the UK (after a run at Stratford East and a run at Leeds Playhouse), Beautiful Thing shines onstage at HOME Manchester.
Set on a council estate in a working class area of South East London, the play focuses on the lives of next door neighbours Jamie (Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran) and Ste (Raphael Akuwudike). Jamie’s mother Sandra (Shvorne Marks), her boyfriend Tony (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge) and Jamie’s next door neighbour on the other side Leah (Scarlett Rayner) are also lead roles in this production.
With a chaotic and abusive home life, Ste often shines at school - particularly in sports, whereas Jamie prefers to bunk off school and hide at home. However, after a particularly violent encounter with his dad and brothers (which takes place offstage) Sandra lets Ste stay over at theirs - where he shares a bed, top and tails, with Jamie…Which is where their romance starts to blossom.
Every cast member in this production is phenomenal. Rowan Abiola Owokoniran and Raphael Akuwudike play Ste and Jamie exquisitely. They have great chemistry and share so many beautiful and touching moments - their connection really exudes the hazy, electric feelings of teenage love.
Tony and Leah both deliver countless moments of comic relief. Rayner’s gorgeous performance as Leah is upbeat, chaotic and, at times, incredibly vulnerable. And Blackwood-Cambridge shines as Tony with his cheesy lines and cringey actions; his comedic timing is brilliant.
Shvorne Marks as Sandra absolutely blew me away. She flicks from streams of emotion and vulnerability to charming moments of comedy, love and warmth in a way that seems effortless. Creating moments of comedy gold, with facial expressions alone, and building intensity just with body language, her performance is truly captivating.
The show has a simple set. Built to look like a plain Council Estate, with a bed which comes through the wall for the bedroom scenes, everything is very minimalistic. However, the set does open up to reveal the inside of a club, with a number of characters dancing under a disco ball, for the final scene - which is a lovely touch.
Despite the simplicity of the stage/set, the incredible performances and superb direction by Anthony Simpson-Pike, as well as Jonathan Harvey’s beautifully written dialogue, means that nothing else is required. The production is fully enthralling as it is.
There is also a mesmerising fight scene in the play, incredibly well executed by fight director Bret Young - with audible gasps and stirs in the audience at each slap, punch and tackle.
Beautiful Thing is just that - beautiful. It’s lovely to watch a LGBTQIA+ love story that is genuinely sweet, heart-warming and uplifting, when so many queer love stories explore tragedy and despair. I thoroughly enjoyed this production; it radiates warmth, charm and emotion. A truly lovely coming-of-age story which, at its core, is just about being young and in love.
Beautiful Thing is at HOME Manchester until November 11.
