One of the biggest criticisms of theatre is that many people find it too theatrical and over the top, so it is always special to see shows that tackle real-world issues in a way that is both respectful and honest. This is exactly what Unlucky Me (written by Shannon Stuart, Helen White and Kym Nash) at the Bread and Roses Theatre aims to do, addressing the horrific reality of County Lines and how it affects not only those directly involved but also the people around them. For those who aren’t aware, County Lines is a form of criminal exploitation where, usually, young people are targeted to help peddle things such as drugs, vapes, and other illegal goods. This is obviously terrible in its own right, but when these networks go wrong it is the young people who usually receive the punishments, as they often trust the person who has recruited them. As a teacher, this is something that is becoming more and more prominent, especially in smaller or lower-income areas. Seeing a show tackle this issue and raise awareness is therefore incredibly important. What is particularly clever about Unlucky Me is the fact that it does not shy away from the real-world negative effects of this very real scheme. Throughout the show, the play highlights how desperate both Lucky and Toby were when they were coerced into this arrangement. The story ends with an ample amount of death (one of which is totally innocent and heartbreaking from the sister’s perspective), which goes to show that these enterprises can never end well. The fact that the story does not have a purely happy ending makes the show even more powerful, as it highlights how things like County Lines do not just affect those directly involved, but often hurt the people around them as well.
What is interesting about this play is the fact that the majority of the scenes are fairly short, which helps to move the story (which actually spans quite a long time) in a way that keeps the audience engaged and focused throughout. These almost vignette-style snapshots constantly build excitement for the climax of the story, which sees the lead character Lucky (played by the wonderful Jayden Crawford) stand up to his ‘boss’. This confrontation leads to the aforementioned series of events in the closing moments of the show.
Due to the nature of this production, the creative team clearly made the conscious effort to make the story incredibly relatable and realistic by stripping back the usual theatrics of a play. The actors also appeared in normal, everyday clothes, which helped to highlight how common things like County Lines are and how they can happen to anyone. The show opened with a very harrowing scene which sees Lucky Flynn (played by the writer of the show, Kym Nash, who we were lucky enough to interview – you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/NvCbes_P01A?si=9LLz8NW5NULLcR5r) incur the wrath of the villainous Dominic, brought to life by the fantastic Cameron Bell. This instantly grabs the attention of the audience as they eagerly anticipate what has led to this series of events. I know that if it were me, the thought of taking on the role of this very menacing villain in such a real-world setting would have been incredibly daunting, but Cameron seemed totally unfazed, making the audience visibly uneasy every time he stepped onto the stage. What was particularly clever about this portrayal is that, on top of being wonderfully theatrical, the character constantly appears to be in total control of every scene he is in, which is indicative of how this type of person might behave in real life. The focus then shifts to the lead character Lucky, a struggling musician (captured brilliantly by the amazing Jayden Crawford), as he deals with the murder of his brother while searching for an escape from this drug-peddling network. Throughout the show, Jayden created the perfect amount of empathy from the audience, which was largely due to how likeable and realistic his portrayal of the character was. My favourite role throughout this production, however, was the incredible Bianca Sansai, who brought to life Lucky and Toby’s sister, Sarah. Despite not being directly involved with the County Lines scheme, her no-nonsense character inevitably becomes involved in protecting her remaining brother. As the show progresses, we see her love and care for him as she helps to bring about the resolution of the story, while also dealing with the devastating effects of the events that unfold.
Overall, Unlucky Me is an intense and powerful play that respectfully highlights the alarming rise of County Lines. The show strips back the theatrics often associated with the art form of theatre, which helps to make it a very relatable and realistic story that many people will be able to take something from. Due to the subject matter, strong language throughout, and depictions of violence, this is absolutely a show for a more mature audience, but it will have every member on the edge of their seat throughout. I would rate this production 4 out of 5 stars.
Rhysreviews 