Boys from the Blackstuff at The Regent
The Boys from the Blackstuff was an acclaimed TV series set in 1980’s at the height of Thatchers Britain and high unemployment.
It has been turned into an on stage play which runs at Stoke-on-Trent’s Regent Theatre until Saturday 14 June (2025) – Review by Mel Osborne
Originally devised by Alan Beasdale based on his own experiences this current adaptation by James Graham and directed by Kate Wasserberg is touring after a sellout at the Westend.
The story follows Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser as they navigate life of job instability and unemployment. They aren’t afraid of hardwork and playing the game to get the job…
Set in Liverpool the show explores their friendship, family and working life and is an incredibly emotive story filled with loss, emotion and the wrestle of being the breadwinner.
The boys are being investigated by the government for potential benefit fraud and when the benefit doesn’t stretch far enough, and they can’t get contracted work, they are forced to get involved with equally dodgy deals, with devastating consequences.
The multi-functional stage with the grey backdrop of the Mersey sets the scene for this gritty, working class drama. However, despite the darkness of the story there are many comedy moments.
(Images: Alistair Muir)
Yosser Hughs is a complex character portrayed by Jay Johnson, who’s interpretation of the uptight desperate single dad, known for saying ‘Gizza job’ was a testament to original actor from the series Bernard Hill.
Yosser is a complex character and certainly appears unhinged, but we learn the reason why as Johnson portrays him with depth, sensitivity and impeccable comedy timing.
George Caple as Chrissie is heartwarming and vulnerable as the young Dad with the weight of the world on his shoulders, battling with sticking to his guns whilst his friends and family pressurise him to stick up for himself.
Amber Blease as Angie portrays the desperate and worried wife of Chrissie with such passion with the main cast supported by a strong ensemble playing multiple roles.
Throughout the show we meet many city eccentrics, such as the ‘shake your hand man,’ the 80s style British gas man complete with bobble hat and various priests and vicars.
The performance is stylised so flits from scene to scene showing different aspects of the lad’s life throughout the year. It is monologue heavy but performed with soul and commitment and the show goes very fast despite being roughly two hours long, as it keeps a fast pace.
For those who remember the financial struggles of 80s Britain this will strike a chord.
The 80s is often viewed through rose-tinted glasses as a better time but the pain and desperation of job seeking was forgotten.
For those a bit younger this certainly teaches the audience about the struggles and battles of the time as, although it is around 40 years ago, the themes are still very much relevant today.
This was a bitter-sweet, triumph of a show which will make you laugh and cry at the same time.
Overall a brilliant show to watch.
5 Stars
