Meet Sonny, whose stammer makes it almost impossible for him to articulate his name. To his horror he is given a role in the school play, Hamlet - but through his relationship with his teacher, Mrs Wainwright, he gradually overcomes his fears.
The audience at the Bristol Old Vic is invited to see beneath the surface of 12-year-old Sonny’s symptoms as Wonder Boy begins, and we gradually learn of the psychological trauma through which his stammer has taken root. He gets himself into trouble as he struggles to articulate his words, his rage manifests itself physically when he gets detention for throwing a pair of scissors at another student.
It’s in detention that he meets the chatty and hilarious Roshi, who befriends him immediately, and it’s at that same moment his relationship with Mrs Wainwright begins. Mrs Wainwright’s cynicism and exhaustion with a school system obsessed with league tables does not inhibit her ability to relate and empathise with the students.
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The audience takes a journey through the mind of a teenager, disconnected and isolated from the world with only his notebook and imaginary friend, Captain Chatter, for company. Through the contrast created between his inner and outer world, we gain a deeper understanding of Sonny.
We also see the challenges for the overworked and exhausted teacher, Mrs Wainwright, who is unappreciated by the headteacher, Miss Fish, whose excellent portrayal of the comical villain creates a contrast between the two.
Miss Fish is a stereotypical embodiment of a school system determined to measure success on league tables at the expense of staff and pupil wellbeing. We see the success of Miss Fish with her business-like manner and mask of kindness which contrasts perfectly with Mrs Wainwright; the teacher who does the real work but is challenged for doing the right thing.
It’s no surprise that Raphel Famotibe, who plays Sonny, was awarded best actor in the BronzeLens Film Festival in 2018. The actor's expressive portrayal of Sonny reaches its climax when he finally finds his voice in an eye-watering scene reflecting on memories with his mother.
Amanda Lawrence, who plays Mrs Wainwright, has an impressive film and TV background - having been in two Star Wars films and appeared in Midsomer Murders, as well as theatre productions.
Both Roshi, played by Juliet Agnes and Miss Fish, played by Jenny Fitzpatrick, embody realistic characters. Roshi is full of life and energy with lines that will have you laughing out loud.
Jenny Fitzpatrick is best known for her performances at West End musicals but has also twice appeared as character Leanne on EastEnders. Alongside the hilarious Miss Fish, she also plays Sonny's mother.
Finally there is the fictional character, Captain Chatter, played by Ramesh Mayyappan who specialises in visual and physical theatre.
Playwright Ross Willis told The Guardian that the incentive behind the creation of Wonder Boy was “to formally reflect the great inner operatic pain that comes from not feeling seen or being able to express oneself”. He spent lockdown “daydreaming” with director Sally Cookson, who describes the play in a behind the scenes video produced by the Bristol Old Vic as “a celebration of difference".
The 90-minute play is capable of provoking both laughter and tears, made more immersive by the lack of an interval. The air conditioning at the Old Vic, providing extra ventilation for covid safety, left me a bit cold at times - but Wonder Boy's emotional performance was enough to warm the audience.
Wonder Boy can be seen at the Bristol Old Vic until March 26. Tickets are £8 and due to National Lottery funding there is a buy one get one free offer. The play is rated 12 and swear words are used throughout. For more information and to book, visit the Bristol Old Vic website.
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