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REVIEW | Radiant Boy - A Haunting, Southwark Playhouse Borough - London
- Harry Brogan
- May 29
- 2 min read
AD | Ticket gifted in exchange of an honest review
CW/TW - Play includes moments of horror involving blood, scenes of emotional distress and coercion, and themes of homophobia and gender dysphoria.
Recommended for ages 15+.
Nancy Netherwood’s powerful debut play Radiant Boy opens at Southwark Playhouse Borough, exploring themes of religion, shame, mental health, queerness and art. The audience sits in a cold and eerie room while the protagonists wait behind a veiled cube that dominates the stage. The lights turn on to illuminate an 80s living room in North-East England where Maud (Wendy Nottingham) is up late for her son Russell (Stuart Thompson), who makes a troubled return from the big city. He announces that something is happening, again, and this time it is much worse, so much so that Maud has already called in a hopeful solution, Father Miller (Ben Allen) a priest/spiritual psychologist who specialises in exorcisms.
Father Miller uncovers the complexities of Russell's childhood, he has been haunted by voices and music in his head since young, abandoned by his dad as Russell’s queer identity wasn’t what he expected, and by the church as “when he went strange, they thought better he left” explains Maud. We soon meet the female voice Russell hears: Renée Lamb (playing both the voice and Stephanie, a close friend from his London conservatoire) circles barefoot around the stage and sings acapella an old hymn. Lamb is only visible to him until Father Miller, called in after another of Russell’s explosive episodes, starts his exorcism bringing the guest, the parasite, to the surface. Russell’s body is taken over and the rest of the characters can finally meet the entity that inhabits him. Accusations fly, deep secret are revealed, even blood gets spilt.
Under the direction of Júlia Levai, the production makes perfect use of the Little auditorium, both in name and in actual size, which helps create a more intimate atmosphere where none of us can escape the horrors of Russell’s troubled life. Lucía Sánchez Roldan's expert use of light enhances this experience, contrasting the harsh colours of a snowy winter night with the warmth of bright yellow light that embraces Russell and Stephanie in London.
The entire cast delivers compelling performances, highlights are Lamb and Thompson, who impressively showcase their vocal talents. Their harmonious blend of voices succeed in uniting their characters who through music and singing truly become one and the same. Nottingham portrays a multifaceted Maud, oscillating between being distant and nurturing; at times scared, she is never ready to let her little boy go.
As part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s initiative to spotlight new voices, RSC 37 Plays, Radiant Boy is a masterfully crafted piece of theatre that combines compelling storytelling, evocative performances, and an exploration of complex themes. It is a must-see for those interested in contemporary theatre that challenges perceptions and invites introspection.
★★★★
Radiant Boy - A Haunting runs at the Southwark Playhouse - Borough until the 14th June
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