Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

REVIEW - The Boy at the Back of The Class is a powerful, impactful and immersive production

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We were invited to Lowry, Salford to see The Boy at the Back of the Class Read what our reviewer Andrea Horrocks had to say about this thought-provoking play...

Onjali Q. Raúf’s award winning debut book, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a beautiful and heartfelt story about curiosity, hope and the power of kindness. The author’s passion and authenticity really stands out as we are guided through events from the eyes of a child. Onjali Q. Raúf does not shy away from the difficult realities and challenges of the world, she cleverly portrays these darker aspects in a positive and uplifting way, making them relatable and understandable for a younger audience as well as adults.

Onjali Q. Raúf has been awarded an MBE and is also the founder of two NGO’s – Making Herstory (tackling the abuse and trafficking of women and girls in the UK) and O’S Refugee Aid Team (which raises awareness and funds for frontline refugee aid organisations). She is of British Bangladeshi heritage born in Newcastle and raised in London and The Boy at the Back of the Class clearly draws on her experiences growing up along with her experience delivering emergency aid convoys for refugee families. The Boy at the Back of the Class is a Sunday Times Best Seller, winner of the 2019 Blue Peter Book Award for Best Story and overall winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2019.

With this background, the author’s experiences and with the amazing comments I have already heard about this production, it is no surprise that my son and I were very excited to watch this theatre adaptation of The Boy at the Back of the Class at the Lowry, to see for ourselves how the characters would be brought to life on the stage.

As in the book the story is mostly told from the perspective of Alexa, a 9 year old girl who, after returning to class after the weekend finds that on this day, something is different, the chair at the back of the class which was usually empty, now has a boy sitting in it. At first glance the boy appears different to the children, he is treated differently by the teacher and doesn’t speak. He is introduced to the class as Ahmet and from that moment the children’s adventure begins, driven by curiosity and kindness.

Ahmet is a refugee from Syria, he and his family fled from the war in fear, but Ahmet has now sadly been separated from his family, from everyone and everything he knows. Ahmet is alone, is very quiet as he doesn’t yet understand English, is trying to make sense of his new surroundings and doesn’t have any friends. Alexa in contrast has a close group of friends - Michael, Josie and Tom – she help her through her own struggle with grief and loss. Alexa is inquisitive and determined to welcome Ahmet into her friend group, she and her friends work hard to communicate with him and soon decide they must do everything they can to try to reunite Ahmet with his family. This is the beginning of their journey, filled with kindness, hope and courage. A journey which, through the eyes of children, reminds us all about the importance and power of compassion, understanding and friendship in our society.

This Boy at the Back of the Class has been adapted for the stage by Nick Ahad and directed by Monique Touko. Together they guide us through this difficult and relevant topic with sensitivity, creating a positive, dynamic theatrical experience that helps the audience of all ages understand what it means to be a refugee.

The opening scene is haunting, with the sea depicted through a large sheet waved around the stage to represent the frightening sea crossings many refugees must make. This powerful moment is quickly contrasted by a sudden change of lighting and sound, an explosion of music, dance and energy and we are transported to a classroom full of noisy, joyful and playful children. This happy safe space contrasts with the opening scene, effectively setting the tone for the production.

Throughout the play there are many calm, introspective moments that offer opportunities for reflection and allow the audience, particularly the children to interact and think. These quieter moments are balanced with bursts of impromptu dance which lift the energy on stage again, project the children’s sense of joy and innocence and heighten the overall impact of the performance.

There are so many beautiful moments as we watch Alexa and her friends bonding with each other and with Ahmet. Through their actions we see what it means to embrace differences, to stand up to bullies and to be guided by kindness not fear. One stand out moment comes when the friends invite Ahmet to play football. There is no actual football, but the audience imagines the ball as it is kicked back and forth across the stage. This is a beautiful way to represent the power of imagination and how children can create connections through play.

The set, designed by Lily Arnold, features a cleverly constructed frame which is reminiscent of the ones found in primary school halls and used in PE lessons. Made up of geometric shapes it effectively transforms into a wide range of settings with ease and the audience is effortlessly transported from the busy school room to the quiet of Alexa’s home to Buckingham Palace. The children often quickly scramble up and down the frame highlighting the energy and vitality of the children. Ryan Day’s lighting and Giles Thomas’ sound design work seamlessly together to establish the mood. In brief, striking moments the audience is transported to Syria, offering a glimpse into a world so different from our own. Though these moments are short, they leave a powerful and lasting impression.

Sasha Desouza-Willock (Disruption, Jugantor) plays Alexa pitching the nine-year-old character perfectly. She performs with heart and enthusiasm and she develops a strong connection to the audience from the outset as she speaks directly to us. She is fiercely inquisitive, highlighting the importance of questioning and the childlike need to understand the world. Alexa’s courage shines through in her portrayal.

Serkan Avlik (Ostan, The White Rose, Bucket Fill) as Ahmet was captivating. Since Ahmet doesn’t speak in his early scenes, he must rely on body language and facial expressions to convey his emotions. This he does wonderfully, drawing the audience in so they can’t help but feel what he is feeling. This is particularly powerful at the end of the first half when his silence breaks in an emotional outburst which is truly heartbreaking. Natasha Lewis (Romeo & Juliet, The Boy in The Dress) plays both Mrs Khan, the teacher and Alexa’s Mum. Natasha plays both roles strongly yet gently, portraying nurturing and protecting characters who the children can trust, constantly emphasising the importance of kindness. Abdul-Malik Janneh (The Dumping Ground and The Gunpowder Plot), Jonny Warr (Chariots of Fire and The Winslow Boy) and Petra Joan-Athene (The Elmer Adventure, Cancer B*tch) play Alexa’s close friends, Michael, Tom and Josie.

Their constant high energy gives joy and humour to the production. Their playful antics generate frequent laughter from both the children and adults in the audience and also highlight the strength of their friendships and connections. Max Jordan’s professional debut as Brendan the bully is strong and believable. He manages to be intimidating and forceful yet there is also a vulnerability to his character. Evie Weldon, Eleanor Patel and Fedrat Sadat switch effortlessly roles to enhance the story telling and interactions of the children with members of the public.

From the many questions I could hear being asked by children throughout the show it is clear this production offers a safe platform for discussion. It reminds us of the importance of embracing differences, of asking questions but also of taking the time to listen. We all deserve to feel safe and to have a home and as we are reminded by Mrs Khan, we can’t truly know what it is like to walk in someone else’s shoes, to feel their fear, their loss and their isolation but by asking questions and listening we may well become more empathetic and understanding.

The Boy at the Back of the Class is a powerful, impactful and immersive production. It tells a story of kindness, courage and belonging, full of heart and humour, reminding us how humanity can be found through friendship. It is a fast-paced production and at 2 hours long including an interval it will have no trouble keeping young minds engaged. Children are encouraged to take part in this journey of discovery alongside Alexa and her friends, exploring both the differences and shared connections between people and cultures. Although clearly aimed at younger audiences, this show serves as a reminder to us all about the importance of kindness and compassion in this turbulent world we live in, a poignant and deeply relevant message for audiences of all ages.

WE SCORE THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS...