REVIEW: Bad Lads at Newcastle Live Theatre

Bad Lads

Newcastle Live Theatre

Until Saturday 11 October 2025

Written by Mike Kenny created from a story by Jimmy Coffey and the testimonies of the other Medomsley boys

Directed By Jenny Sealey

Performed by Robin Paley Yorke & Danny Raynor + Performance Interpreter Craig Painting

A passionate play, that is a fine example of advocacy storytelling, is currently at Live Theatre before heading out of tour across the country, including shows between 14 – 15 November at the ARC Stockton Arts Centre. Using the testimonies from survivors Mike Kenny has written a disturbing account of the reality behind the headlines.

As the Bristol Radical History Festival 2025 stated "In 1979 the new Tory government led by by Margaret Thatcher and Home Secretary, Willie Whitelaw, abolished borstals for young offenders and introduced a new system of ‘youth detention centres’ employing harsh, quasi-military discipline. They proudly claimed in their party manifesto that they were going to “experiment with a tougher regime as a short, sharp shock for young criminals”.  This play is about one such centre near Consett in County Durham which housed young lads from our region that had committed crimes such as shoplifting or stealing a milk float.

An interesting decision has been made in this show in that Danny Raynor appears as the older, modern day, Jackie and Robin Paley Yorke as the younger contemporary Jackie. So you have an older character describing the memories whilst the younger one is actually living that reality. 

In addition to this, in order to make the show accessible not only is Craig Painting an interpreter signing throughout the show but he also takes an active part in the show and becomes integral in the narrative.

Jackie has received a letter from Durham police asking for help in their enquiries about the behaviour of staff at the youth detention centre. This results in recollections of the letter that demanded his only court appearance. Whilst the solicitor had suggested that he'd get a non-custodial reprimand, he ended up being sent to the prison for 3 months. From the very first evening he was subjected to ridicule and physical acts of discipline. Unfortunately the tale goes on to describe sadistic behaviour and sexual exploitation of the prisoners.   

The resultant show is both gripping and harrowing. The audience are put through a well executed yet disturbing description of systematic abuse. The theatre has numerous posters offering routes of support for members of the audience that need it this offering the audience more pastoral support than was available in the 80s.

This is a show that I am really glad that I have seen. It is moving, well acted and able to give everyone plenty to think about afterwards. Bad Boys is powerful theatre that does not need to exaggerate its message and it simply  lets the audience draw their own natural conclusion.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Von Fox

Tickets:

https://www.live.org.uk/whats-on/bad-lads

All performances will integrate British Sign Language (BSL), audio description, creative captions and will be presented in a relaxed environment.

Warnings: This show is 16+

Bad Lads contains descriptions of physical and sexual assault.

There will be a FREE Post Show Talk to discuss themes within the show following the 7.30pm performance on Thu 9 Oct.