Pig Heart Boy | Newcastle Theatre Royal | 29th April 2025
Invited | Review by Stephen Stokoe
I very nearly did not get to see this production due to other commitments but I am so pleased that the stars aligned to allow me to attend the Newcastle Theatre Royal this evening for Pig Heart Boy. It is clear from the timings of the performances and the accompanying education pack, that this show is geared towards school children but do not let that put anyone off going to see this poignant, moving and delightfully presented production. I would, however paying close attention to when the performances start as they are not necessarily the times you may expect.
Pig Heart Boy charts the story of Cameron (Immanuel Yeboah) who following an infection at an early age, is living with a weakened and failing heart. The only option is for Cameron to have a heart transplant. Having found a human heart, the transplant did not go ahead due to complications with the intended organ, so his father, Mike (Akil Young) seeks out Professor Bryce (Tré Medley) who offers a highly contentious alternative to the desperate family.
With such weighty ethical, it may have been tempting to focus on them. Pig Heart Boy does not do this. Instead, it tells the whole story from young Cameron’s point of view and Yeboah performs the role with integrity and skill. The audience warms to his infectious good humour as we are introduced to his friends – Rashid, Andrew, love interest, Julie (Christine During) and best friend, Marilyn (Christine Ngoyi) who, while they have the best intentions of their sickly friend, have a tendency to ‘wrap him in cotton wool’ – much to his chagrin.
Based on the book by Malorie Blackman and adapted for the stage by Winsome Pinnock, the script tackles so many issues including poverty, societal acceptance, grief and loss with a light touch making the deeper elements accessible to anyone while pricking the conscience of the audience and giving them a number of contentious issues to grapple with should they wish to. This evening I noticed several students feverishly tackling worksheets during the interval and this production provided all the material needed to complete them.
The set (by Designer Paul Wells) is entirely static but there is some very clever use of lighting, height, shadows and levels which is ingenious to watch. The soundscape (by Sound Designer and Composer Xana) complements it beautifully. The Direction by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu is incredibly slick with the joyful nature of the interaction between the ‘kids’ a particular highlight. The lighting (Andrew Exeter) is also en point and adds to the emotion of the piece effectively and in some cases dramatically.
With a cast of only eight actors, most multi role, presenting characters including but not limited to an aged grandmother, a very feisty morning TV presenter, a particularly unpleasant animal rights activist and an officious but opportunistic police officer. Bravo indeed to this hard-working ensemble who seamlessly embodied their characters with integrity and skill.
There is something for everyone to take from this dramatic but heart-warming story of Cameron and his porcine organ. There are dramatic twists along the way which will keep anyone enthralled from the beginning to a beautifully measured and thought provoking end.
It would be impossible and totally unfair to pick out a star of the show this evening so I am not going to. All the cast totally deserved the cheers from the audience tonight as they took their final bow.
Pig Heart Boy plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal until Saturday 3rdMay.