Stage Review - I, Daniel Blake

Actor, David Nellist is Daniel Blake (Dan)
 I, Daniel Blake
Image: Pamela Raith Photography

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This work does not necessarily serve to convince that the story of those portrayed in fiction reflects the real lives of people seen as vulnerable members of society, what it is effective and successful in doing is inviting the empathic engagement of its audience' Debra Hall, theatre critic

The cast of the stage version of I, Daniel Blake 2023
and features a projected image of the tweet by Conservative MP, Damien Green following the release of the 2016 film 
Image: Pamela Raith Photography

This stage adaptation by Dave Johns constitutes Paul Laverty’s stark narrative; first encountered in the original film version I, Daniel Blake (2016). Directed by Mark Calvert this play identifies much of what is politically failing people and explores the social realism of being led by Tory policies for the past decade or so up to present day. The visuals include the projection of real tweets from Conservative party leaders and MPs etc. and voice recordings from real-life parliamentary sessions. The play is auto-captioned.

The focus is particularly on the current cost-of-living crisis and what could be deemed the bias and complacency of Conservative politicians and decision makers in regard to jobs, health and social care. The unsympathetic detachment of handlers attached to implementing government led policies and systems is also highlighted, the kind of which we have all experienced, to some degree, even if its when channelling legislative queries through impersonal call centre operations.

Geordie man, Daniel Blake, first encounters Katie Jenkins in a social security office in Newcastle. Single mother, Katie is threatened with suspense of her welfare payment and Daniel (Dan) speaks up to defend her. Dan, himself a claimant is frustrated with his experiences due to mis-communication between governmental departments. Twinned with his low-tech approach to things, Dan finds that his severance pay entitlement is delayed.

Pictured is Briony Corrigan (Katie), Jodie Wild (Daisy)
and David Nellist (Daniel/Dan)
Image: Pamela Raith Photography

The shared environment, the personal struggles, the hurt pride and the guarded responses of both Dan and Katie, and their interactions with each other, are the main threads of storyline action. For sure the performances of actors David Nellist (Daniel/Dan) and Briony Corrigan (Katie) are rivetingly intense.

Jodie Wild gives a naturalistic portrayal of the mature, beyond-her-years school girl, Daisy. Through the Daisy character, there is a window into the life of a what a poverty-stricken household looks like and how that impacts on a minor.

Pictured Kema Sikazwe as China
From I, Daniel Blake
Image: Pamela Raith Photography

China (Kema Sikazwe) is Dan’s friendly neighbour who helps him with his online forms. Sikazwe lifts the serious mood with the upbeat personality of his character. China is a wheeler dealer type who trades online and despite lack of opportunity he is motivated to make his own way. China’s ideas may break the rules, but he’s pragmatic and no fool.

David Nellist (Daniel Blake) and Janine Leigh (Sheila)
from the stage production I, Daniel Blake
Image by Pamela Raith Photography

One of Janine Leigh’s characters in the play is Sheila, Dan’s snipey and indifferent interviewer at the job centre; similarly, fellow ensemble cast member, Mickey Cochrane, also presents a ‘jobs-worth’ type in the earlier scene mentioned, when Dan first meets Katie: Act I.

Mickey Cochrane as Homeless Man from the play I, Daniel Blake
image: Pamela Raith Photography 

Cochrane also portrays a hard-working, small business owner who, arguably, harbours prejudiced views. He also plays a homeless man, a non-verbal character huddled in a doorway when he first appears, until the moment when Dan spray paints his rights as a human and a citizen across public property. Cochrane owns the stage at this point, when he jumps to his feet, arms flaying in the air, and delivers an incredibly rousing speech in support of Dan and the stand that he’s made; an incredible moment, in fact, which prompted spontaneous applause.

To conclude: 

the audience was unequivocally impressed by the production, clearly so, using the standing ovation at the play’s end as a measure. Nellist took a little time at curtain call to recover from the intensity of his performance.

As we filed out most of us were strangely subdued, some audience members still crying and upset, some overheard voicing their anger and frustration about the state of the country. This is without doubt a hugely important play and one that will always provoke strong emotional responses from its audience.

**ENDS**

Review by theatre critic, Debra Hall who attended the press night showing I, Daniel Blake at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Wednesday 14 June at 7.45pm

References


Birmingham Repertory Theatre - Press Release and production photography I, Daniel Blake (June 2023)


Birmingham Repertory Theatre
https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/i-daniel-blake/


Dave Johns
https://davejohns.net/




English Touring Theatre
https://ett.org.uk/our-work/i-daniel-blake/


https://www.google.com/