Beautiful Thing by performed by the Bush Theatre Company at the Donmar Warehouse, Covent Garden until April 23 then on tour. WHAT A JOY this is! What an achievement! 'Beautiful Thing' started its run at the Bush Theatre while the campaign to equalise the gay male age of consent was at its height. In the aftermath of its defeat, this wonderful play is the perfect antidote to depression.
Growing up poor, and living in south-east London's Thamesmead, are both pretty strong grounds for depression.
Being a gay teenager as well could make this a story of misery and despair - as indeed so many works of art and literature on this theme have been. Instead, this is a triumph, uplifting and hilariously funny as well.
The young cast of five play out the drama as Amelda Brown's Sandra (a barmaid) struggles to provide for her school-boy son Jamie (Mark Letheren).
Next door lives Leah (Sophie Stanton), expelled from school and in the house on her own most of the time, heavily addicted to Moma Cass, and on the other side Ste (Shaun Dingwall), a school mate of Jamie's, whose alcoholic father is in the habit of regularly beating him up.
To top off the list, Sandra's latest boyfriend (Richard Bonneville) is a self-proclaimed artist and complete clown.
This may not sound like promising material, but Jonathan Harvey's play spins it into a tale of young love blossoming between Jamie and Ste amidst and as part of the harsh daily realities.
Moments of drama and of deep emotion mingle with delightful comedy - none more so than the scenes where Tony, the new boy friend tries to 'talk to Jamie about life and things, or that where they all try to cope with Leah high on speed. Even "The Sound of Music' has a part to play.
Reviews usually criticise, but this play is so good that it blows away the weaknesses in a deluge of delight. Being a young gay - and even living in south-east London - in early 90s Britain clearly isn't all bad. See 'Beautiful Thing' and believe it!