Boy on the Roof

Credit: Graeme Braidwood Photography

Guest review by Russell Cook at Suffolk Village Info

The well known phrase of ‘actions speak louder than words’ directly hits the spot when it comes to the work of Vamos Theatre.

Here, they bring their latest production of ‘Boy on the Roof’ to life with their imaginative masked/mime show at the Wolsey Theatre, in Ipswich, and it is full of unexpected actions and adorable characters.

The team, which is based in Worcester, is so much more than those on stage, including mask makers, designers, technicians, soundtrack composers and musicians.

But it is the three main characters of Liam, his father, and Albert, who grab the limelight in this 70-minute on-stage act.

The story centres around the schoolboy who suffers from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) which results in him labelled as a badly behaved youngster at school. But outside that environment, he is a wonderfully kind, caring and considerate soul, and a calming and life fulfilling helper for his neighbours.

‘Boy on the Roof’ is set in a suburban terraced street with a host of people with many different, and often quirky, life styles. From the woman with her pampered pooch to the revellers and ravers, and from the family with the screaming child to Liam and his tormented mother and father.

The production is expanded by a series of visual effects screened at the rear of the stage displaying the street scene and the actions in and around it.

Credit: Graeme Braidwood Photography

Enter Liverpool mad and football fanatic Liam, played by Gavin Maxwell, whose dishevelled appearance kind of sums up his attitude to school and life. His father (James Greaves), along with his mother, are dismayed with his dismal school report but he has the knack of being able to strike up a relationship with elderly neighbour Albert, who continues to mourn the loss of his wife/partner with poignant memories dotted around his house. There’s a photo of her which he constantly ‘communicates’ with and a wheeler which he has also kept as a reminder of her former presence.

Albert and Liam - who seems never to be without a ball - become close chess buddies, while the boy has the knack and talent to be able to calm a screaming child when he is asked to babysit the tiny tot.

All these various story lines are thrown into the mix of ‘Boy on the Roof’, which was originally drawn up from an idea to explore relationships between neighbours and how they developed during the pandemic, and how little we know about what’s actually happening only feet away on the other side of the wall.

It culminates with Liam, his father and Albert, throwing away all their inhibitions and meeting up on the roof to survey the night sky and the bright lights of their community, while at the same time ridding themselves of all their cares and worries. 

Boy on the Roof is at New Wolsey Theatre from 13 - 14 February 2024, then moves to Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds on 6 March.

FOR FULL SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE