REVIEW: FLOCK by Lin Coghlan at Soho Theatre, Dean Street 8 Oct - 2 Nov 2024

Harry Conway • 10 October 2024

Photo credit: Lucy Hayes

 

‘A heartfelt tale with a mixed message’ ★★★

 

Flock is a heartfelt tale of two siblings separated by the state yet determined to be together, of growing up and learning to take care of oneself, and ultimately about the consequences of failing to do so. It’s a strange tale then as this final note is the one that rings most true, delivering quite a mixed message.

 

The play focuses on Robbie (Jamie Ankrah), a 17-year-old teen in a difficult situation. Shuffled around various households throughout his youth Robbie is turning into something of a problem. Brushing up against the police and failing to progress within the care system, Robbie just about holds things together thanks to the support of his older sister Cel (Gabriella Leonardi), his loyal friend Miko (Deshaye Gayle) and his much put-upon social worker Mrs Bosely (Jennifer Daley), each with their own complicated lives and struggles.

 

It’s very much a kitchen sink drama then, with Robbie’s degrading life taking centre stage as the walls close in around him and he becomes increasingly hostile to a hostile world. His sister begins to pull away from him to live her own life and others around him begin to focus on their own troubles, to which he can only respond with wounded anger. It’s a realistic portrayal of its subject matter, but also quite an unsympathetic one – every other character goes out of their way to help Robbie at some point and he rarely if ever returns the favour or expresses gratitude.

 

Things are complicated by the play’s non-linear narrative, one that often cuts quite quickly and suddenly back and forth in time and place. It almost feels more intended for the screen than the stage but is saved from this being a strong drawback, through inventive staging and clever use of props (full credit here to director Jim Pope and set designer Sandra Falase). The actors often rearrange the set in simple but highly effective ways to bring each rapidly changing scene to life, aided by solid sound and lights.

 

The show features a committed ensemble performances from the whole cast, in particular Gayle as a number of characters including Robbie’s close friend Miko as well as wannabee rock-star Diesel. Each of these characters had a life and physicality to them that made for engaging viewing, proving Gayle has serious talent as a performer. Any scene with him present was much the better for it.

 

But unfortunately, all this feeds into a well-told tale that mostly offers sour notes. An unforeseen tragedy hits our characters, and all Robbie can do is learn to move on from it. There’s not much of a sense of hope, or really any closure in an ending that feels truncated after a long build up. A realistic turn, but much like the story throughout, one that could have perhaps done with a pinch of something extra.

 

Flock runs at Soho Theatre until 2 Nov 2024

Box office: https://sohotheatre.com/events/flock/

Written by Lin Coghlan

Directed by Jim Pope

Produced by Rhian Davies

Lighting by Ian Scott

 

Reviewed by Harry Conway


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