REVIEW: Flock, by Lin Coghlan at Jack Studio Theatre – 29 September - 1 October 2026
‘A warm, sincere portrayal of life in and out of the care system.’ ★★★
At seventeen years old, Robbie is on the precipice of adulthood. A daunting prospect for most people, but he faces an additional challenge: leaving the care system he has been in for most of his life in order to live independently. Based on true experiences of care-experienced young people, Lin Coghlan’s FLOCK goes beyond the typical coming of age story, exploring the reality of navigating the UK care system in 21st century Britain.
This quest for independence is central to the play, as Robbie fixates on securing the all-important bidding number that will theoretically get him a priority place in social housing as a care-leaver. His sister Cel is equally driven by her ambition to go to university and achieve the degree she has always dreamed of. However, the journey is not an easy one for either sibling and as they lean on each other in lieu of their parents, cracks in their relationship start to form. Robbie’s best friend Miko is also a key source of support, but faced with the reality of caring for a seriously ill parent, the question of who can genuinely be relied upon in the absence of traditional family figures is at the core of the narrative.
The performance certainly has a lot of heart, and features a charismatic cast of characters. Though Robbie, Cel and Miko have faced a staggering amount of adversity in their short lives, they remain spirited and determined, moving through the world with boundless energy and vibrant humour. By contrast, social worker Mrs Bosely is relatively restrained, treading a careful line between professionalism and compassion that often blurs when times get tough. The actors switch roles to inhabit different secondary characters and time periods to portray significant figures like their Nan and various love interests, as well as their younger selves. This device can often be challenging to execute smoothly, but the actors in this production pull it off with ease, and the high points of the performance are the genuine moments of tenderness that the characters manage to cultivate in their otherwise chaotic lives
Although undoubtedly a story about social care in the UK, FLOCK concerns itself primarily with exploring the experiences of individual service users, and the emotions that arise from these, rather than being an overt critique of the system. Lengthy discussion of specific policy or reform are notably absent, as the play centres its focus on the difficulties of living a life rooted in so much instability and the ramifications this has on relationships, finances and navigating the wider world.
In places, the play struggles to maintain its momentum, and although there are certainly emotionally-charged moments, there is a perceptible lack of tension as the play moves towards its denouement. The story is shaped through a series of non-chronological scenes, and is less interested in narrative surprises than in portraying apexes of emotional resonance, in which the bravado of the main characters breaks down, revealing the vulnerability at their core. The references to Deliveroo and vapes situate the piece in the present day, however some of the language, especially the slang, feels a little dated. Similarly, some logistical details of the plot do not ring true in a play that is otherwise committed to gritty realism.
The staging is one of the most impressive aspects of the play. White, billowing screens of fabric are used for shadow work, to change scenes, and even function as makeshift markets in one particularly inspired scene depicting a bustling town centre. Set in local Lewisham, the play is peppered with local references, and there is even a ‘Walk the story’ guided audio tour as a bonus feature for anyone who wants to experience the main sites of the play themselves, all narrated by the character of Miko. The attention to detail in these choices cannot be faulted, building a truly fleshed-out picture of the world the characters inhabit.
Despite its issues with pacing and a few questionable dialogue choices, FLOCK still shines as a warm, sincere portrayal of life in – and out of – the care system, that is poignant and humorous in equal measure.
Flock, by Lin Coghlan at Jack Studio Theatre, 1st October 2026
Presented by PlayingON
Cast
Robbie: Joseph Clarke
Cel: Tabitha Detroit
Miko: Romeo Mika
Mrs Bosely: Alice Selwyn
Crew
Writer: Lin Coghlan
Director: Jim Pope
Set and Costume Designer: Sophie Jump
Lighting Designer: Alex Wardle
Sound Designer: Jules Maxwell
Design Assistant: Amelia Kyriacou
Production Manager and Technical Stage Manager: Brent Tan
Assistant Stage Manager: Isabella Caseley
Poster Design: Nancy Ellis
Producer: Chris Elwell Executive
Producer: Rhian Davies
Programme Manager -
Education: Nina Graveney-Edwards
Photo credit: Lucy Hayes
