Spellbinding Performance - Lord of the Flies

Sade Malone (Ralph) Photo by Anthony Robling.

Lord of the Flies, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, 25 – 29 April.

A Leeds Playhouse and Belgrade Coventry co-production presented in association with Rose Theatre 

Written by Nigel Williams. Adapted from William Golding’s 1954 classic novel. 

Review by Ann Evans

From the very first second of this dramatic, menacing classic, the audience are hooked, and that intensity keeps you gripped until the very last second. There is such a sense of impending doom created on stage by these young actors that the audience is held spellbound.

I have to say that the backstage crew have done a remarkable transformation of a theatre stage into a desert island with mountains, a beach, a forest, the sense of a war going on, even a forest fire at one stage all through the simple tiered set. This accompanied by the clever use of sound effects, atmospheric music, shadows and lighting brings William Goldings perception of a desert island clearly into our minds. It’s totally believable. We are there on that island where this group of young plane crash victims attempt to survive. And our hearts go out to them.

Patrick Dineen, Ciaran O Breen, Eloise Pennycott. Photo Anthony Robling.

Well, our hearts go out to them at the beginning, then the struggle for power and supremacy begins, as the bullying starts, as the weaker and less able characters are dominated and ridiculed. Then, we sense the impending danger as we see the breakdown of their mini society, as divisions are made, as people start to get hurt. And whether you know the story or not, the sense of impending danger and disaster creeps up on you.

Brilliantly acted by these young people, and brilliantly directed by Amy Leach along with the various experts behind the scenes who have choreographed the fights, the chases, the props, the sounds, music, lighting, the special effects and everything else.

Jason Connor, Nate Leung, Aki Nakagawa. Photo Anthony Robling.

Although the novel was written in 1954, this adaptation has been brought right into the 21st century with a diverse group of characters that reflect today’s society. And there are absolutely no punches pulled as these young people, thrown together, begin to find their feet and their place in their new world. Without a doubt there are scene that will shock you. The characters interactions will mesmerise and trouble you. The treatment of some will break your heart. I’ve no doubt that certain scenes will haunt you for some time to come.

The play is a collaboration between the Leeds Playhouse, the Belgrade and the Rose Theatre Theatre with most of these young actors having appeared in productions on stage and screen. And this professionalism is evident through their deliverance of the story.

Some of the cast. Photo Anthony Robling.

Every one of these actors plays their part with conviction, but special mention has to go to the leading characters in this play – Ralph (Sade Malone) who is outstanding in this role. Jack (Patrick Dineen) who makes his first professional stage debut - doing so brilliantly; and Piggy (Jason Connor) a partially sighted actor whose vulnerability pulls at the heart string. Amazing performances by these – and on a light note, as they took their well-earned applause it was lovely to see Sade and Patrick hug and smile at one another after the drama they’d just put each other through!

This is a truly remarkable portrayal of this classic story, Lord of the Flies. And if you haven’t already got your tickets, I would heartily recommend doing so.

Tickets and further details: https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/lord-of-the-flies/