Review: BOY OUT THE CITY, Turbine Theatre

One might feel slightly apprehensive about Declan Bennett’s new autobiographical one-man show at the Turbine Theatre. Did I really want to go straight from work into an hour-long throwback to the darkest depths of lockdown? “Oh god, here we go…”, squirming in my seat slightly as Bennett’s disposable mask snagged and ripped off his microphone within seconds of the show starting. Were we set for an hour of tired jokes about Boris and banana bread?

No. It quickly became apparent that Bennett and director Nancy Sullivan have in fact hit on a canny framing device for an exploration of identity and a journey to inner peace that is witty, touching, and relatable. 

Yes, the show dipped its toes into the almost-dry well of observational humour about drinking in the afternoon and relentless manic baking (so much banana bread), but this production’s real spark comes from the web of memories that spin out from Bennett’s isolation. 

Sometimes the threads of flashback narratives get a little tangled but Bennett’s writing is sensitive and raw, and speaks to anyone who’s learned something about themselves and their relationship to the world in this last traumatic year.

Perhaps due to his musical theatre background, Bennett delivers his poetic monologue with a natural, easy rhythm and saves the performance from tipping over into the agonising, laboured emphasis of slam poetry.

Bennett is a compelling performer. His physical energy is intense and barely contained by the Turbine’s modest stage and made up for the minimal set and sparse props.

The whole world is very quick to profess a weariness of Covid stories but Bennett demonstrates that with tact and humour, we can share these with a sense of healing and catharsis.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Livvy Perrett

Boy Out The City plays at the Turbine Theatre until 13 November, with tickets available here.