Review: Pig Heart Boy at Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse

“…captivating, well-paced and engaging…”

Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman adapted by Winsome Pinnock, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse

By Claire Walmsley

I was really excited to see Pigheart Boy at the Playhouse in Liverpool because it’s a story I have really enjoyed in the past and it has such an intriguing plot that I was keen to see how it would play out on stage. I wasn’t disappointed!

It’s the tale of Cam – a 13-year-old boy who, after a virus leaves his heart weak, receives the first pig heart transplant. But the story is leaked, and there is a media frenzy. Public opinion divided and even Cam’s friends aren’t the same after the operation.  It’s a story of ethics, of loyalty and discovering your purpose. It’s an intense story but beautifully balanced with heartwarming scenes and light humour.

The set was fabulous – a clever design of television screens and speakers linked by ropes of light. It pulsated with a steady heartbeat while I was waiting for the show to start, setting the scene perfectly.  It intertwined beautifully with the narrative – changing from pulsating red during the surgery to cool blue when Cam puts his new heart to the test in the pool during a tense game of ‘Daredevil Dive’. It was well used throughout the performance, creating atmosphere and tension.

There was light-hearted humour throughout that was well placed. The transition from Cam being seen as a vulnerable and fragile classmate, to a celebrity with his newfound confidence, is well done, but I feel that some of the deeper moments could have been expanded upon. For a story with ethics as a central theme, this aspect could have been explored a little more.

The cast were phenomenal. Immanuel Yeboah plays Cam and his performance was incredible. To his friends at the start, he was a slightly awkward teenager (his interactions with his crush were particularly sweet) but you see a quietly confident, articulate side when he addresses the audience with his poetic inner thoughts. He’s likeable and your heart journeys with him through the ups and downs. His banterous relationship with his nan (played by Chia Phoenix) is of particular note. She’s wise, funny and warm – the kind of nan we would all love to have.

Other cast members played multiple roles equally well. Their ability to adapt to vastly different roles needs to be commended. Cam’s best friend Marilyn (played by Christina Ngoyi) takes on the roles of a scientist, a reporter and a TV host. She shifts between roles effortlessly, each with their own distinct character – it’s hard to believe they are the same person. Her energy as Marilyn was infectious and the relationship with Cam felt both heartwarming and natural.

Another standout performance for me was from Christine During who played Julie (Cam’s school crush) and Cathy (Cam’s mother). As Cathy, her performance was powerful, really showcasing the inner turmoil of a mother who faces some very difficult decisions. Her facial expressions and gestures were spot on. As a mother myself, I really felt the raw emotions on display. As Julie she was a coy, playful schoolgirl who convincingly portrayed the struggle of accepting Cam after his operation.

Overall, the performance was captivating, well-paced and engaging. It’s targeted at 9- to 13-year-olds, but as an adult (albeit a children’s author and primary school teacher), I thoroughly enjoyed it, This production has left a mark on my heart.

Pig Heart Boy plays at Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse until Saturday 22 March.

Claire is a children’s author who pays the bills by teaching computer science to primary school pupils in Manchester. When she’s not writing, reading or fixing all the broken laptops at work, she likes to run and hike. As a long-term sufferer of Crohn’s Disease, she is always trying to inspire the next generation of chronic illness sufferers. You can find her first picture book here. Or follow Claire Walmsley – Children’s Author on all the socials.