Touching, funny, poignant, clever, insightful and technically flawless—this is a must-see show for anyone who enjoys theatre at its best and knows, supports or is someone who is neurodivergent, isolated or just finding life difficult to cope with.
Vamos Theatre was founded by writer-director Rachael Savage in 2006 as a platform for masked, non verbal performances to highlight issues and challenges relevant to how we live our lives today. The company uses life-sized masks (made by Strangeface Artistic Director Russell Dean) and exceptional physical theatre skills to convey the characters and plot, and using film, sound and brilliant direction weave a story that is both humorous and emotional as well as insightful and educational.
In the past, they have focused on many subjects including PTSD, dementia and old age. Their latest show, The Boy on The Roof, takes the themes of isolation and ADHD, made worse for many by the pandemic.
On a cleverly designed set that serves as a number of different dwellings, with windows that look out onto a busy street, the play focuses on two main characters: Albert, an elderly man who lives alone after loosing his wife, and Liam, a teenager living with his mother and father who is finding life difficult through undiagnosed neurodiversity issues.
Also into the mix comes a single father with a crying baby who impacts the lives of the others, eventually in a positive way.
The plot line revolves around the burgeoning relationship between Liam and Albert, which helps both of them tackle their issues of social exclusion, anxiety and misunderstanding and in doing so forge new connections with their neighbours and their wider family.
Three actors play all the characters with quick changes that seem effortless as they morph from one situation to another.
The physical movements of the actors are superb—they are able to say so much just with a toss of the head or a particular gesture. Each character is carefully drawn and fleshed out. Scenes are established by a number of devices including music from an old fashioned radio, football commentaries from the TV, Liam’s phone receiving memes or beeping and the neighbour's fractious baby.
Incredibly skilful projections bring to life both what is happening outside in the street and every so often zoom in to see what other neighbours are doing inside their homes, from a noisy young band to a fitness fanatic to someone practising the piano.
Alan Riley, much experienced as a mask actor, plays Albert and Liam’s mum. James Greaves, equally experienced, plays Liam’s Dad and a second version of Albert, which is a well executed device to show passing of time as the two cross over in a scene, or enter in pyjamas as the other leaves to get undressed for bed.
Gavin Maxwell, playing his first full-length masked role, brings his own adult diagnosis of ADHD to the character of Liam and fills the stage with teenage angst. But he also portrays superbly the changes in Liam as he makes friends with Albert and finds a connection with the baby too, as well as improving his relationship with his long suffering parents.
This is an incredible show and one I would urge you to go and see. Its only 70 minutes long, but worth every second of your time.