Gritty adaptation Boys From The Blackstuff considers masculinity and mental health – review
We’ve been looking forward to seeing Boys From The Blackstuff: this adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s 1980s hit TV show opened last year at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre, produced by Kevin Fearon, and was met with almost universal acclaim.
It has now transferred to London, opening this week at the National Theatre for a brief stint before transferring to the West End.
It’s written by James Graham, one of our leading political playwrights – we’ve previously covered his shows Dear England (recent recipient of the Olivier Award for Best New Play) and also Best of Enemies.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, Boys From The Blackstuff follows the story of five now-unemployed Liverpudlian men who had previously been tarmac layers (‘the black stuff’ being slang for tarmac).
