REVIEW: PIG HEART BOY by Malorie Blackman, adapted by Winsome Pinnock, at Unicorn theatre (Weston) until 22 Feb

'delicate, humorous and raucous in all the right places' ★★★★

The audience enters the theatre to the sound of a heartbeat echoing through the space. The stage is flooded red with veins reaching out from a centre point, the heart. TV screens placed around the stage show statistic, but hold the promise of something more exciting later. A great marriage of lighting and sound design. 

Mallorie Blackman’s award winning novel is skilfully adapted for the stage by Winsome Pinnock. The injection of cultural details give an authenticity that echoes throughout the show. 

Cameron, played by Emmanuel Yeboah, enters and immediately fills the stage with a youthful endearing energy. Cameron has a heart condition. His life at school is dominated by his weak heart. He longs to join in with his school mates. He wants to feel the freedom of diving deep into the pool, just like his friends. When the opportunity to change his life forever arises, it seems his dreams have come true. 

As the story unfolds Cameron journeys through a myriad of emotions portrayed authentically by Emmanuel Yeboah. The cast of six all execute their multiple roles well. Christina Ngoyi and Chia Phoenix notably play four roles each, effortlessly switching character and adjusting their energy accordingly. 

The sound design and movement sequences worked well to enhance the story and draw the audience in. The promise of something special coming from the TV screens was fulfilled over and over again. A skilful use of video design enhanced the audience experience further. The whole cast movement sequences were seamless and a joy to watch. Pig Heart Boy is wonderfully delicate, humorous and raucous in all the right places.

Photo credit: Ali Wright

PIG HEART BOY at Unicorn theatre (Weston) 26 Jan – 22 Feb 2025

For ages 9 - 13

BOX OFFICE https://www.unicorntheatre.com/events/pig-heart-boy 

From the multi award-winning writer Malorie Blackman OBE, author of Noughts and Crosses, this brilliant novel is brought to life in a brand-new adaptation by Winsome Pinnock, and is directed by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu in a Unicorn co-production with Sheffield Theatres and Children’s Theatre Partnership.