Beautiful Thing review: Hilarious and heartwarming revival uplifts gay Black love
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The 30th anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey’s 90s queer coming-of-age classic, Beautiful Thing, is a tenderly portrayed triumph. Set on a council estate in south London, the play follows the lives of three houses filled with closely held secrets, lost hopes, and wistful dreams. At the heart of the story is a beautiful love story between two young boys, Ste and Jamie, as they navigate the challenges of being gay in a working-class neighborhood.
Ste, played by Raphael Akuwudike, is a football-loving teen living in an abusive household. Seeking solace from his tumultuous home life, he finds sanctuary next door with Jamie and his fiercely protective mother, Sandra, played brilliantly by Shvorne Marks. Sandra’s latest lover, Tony, struggles to fit into the chaotic household, but ultimately finds himself devoted to Sandra and her ambitions.
Leah, a constant presence at the end of the road since her expulsion from school, adds another layer to the story. Scarlett Rayner delivers a captivating performance as Leah, who harbors an intense obsession with singer Mama Cass and desperately hopes to return to the education system.
Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran shines as Jamie, a shy boy who prefers the melodies of The Sound of Music to the rough and tumble of football. Jamie’s character beautifully captures the struggle of discovering oneself and finding acceptance in a world that can be harsh and unwelcoming.
The chemistry between Akuwudike and Owokoniran is exquisite. As the two boys are forced to share a bed on evenings when Ste seeks refuge from his father, their relationship slowly blossoms. The tenderness of their first love is delicately balanced with the reality of being a gay Black boy in the 90s. One particularly poignant moment sees Jamie lovingly tending to Ste’s bruises in the quiet of the night.
Director Anthony Simpson-Pike brings Jonathan Harvey’s story to life, offering a much-needed portrayal of gay Black love defined by hope rather than trauma. The play’s most powerful moments are found in its most positive ones, such as Sandra’s tearjerking acceptance of the boys’ relationship and their gorgeously romantic final dance.
The weighty scenes are perfectly punctuated with moments of humor, providing much-needed relief from the intensity of the story. The street is sent into a mad scramble to sober up a high Leah in the middle of the night, and well-timed one-liners scattered throughout the play keep the audience laughing.
Marks delivers a standout performance as Sandra, effortlessly shifting between comedic moments and heartfelt emotion. Her portrayal leaves the audience both in fits of laughter and misty-eyed.
Beautiful Thing remains a timely commentary on the struggles faced by working-class gay teens, but it is also a feel-good triumph that uplifts and leaves the audience grinning as the lights go down. The revival cast brilliantly pays homage to the eclectic cast of characters first introduced to the world by Harvey three decades ago.
The production will run at Theatre Royale Stratford East until October 7th before heading to Leeds Playhouse from October 18th to 28th and HOME in Manchester from October 31st to November 11th.
In conclusion, the 30th anniversary revival of Beautiful Thing is a hilarious and heartwarming portrayal of gay Black love. The play tackles important issues while still managing to uplift and entertain its audience. This production is a must-see for theatergoers looking for a powerful and moving experience.
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