The 1980s are often remembered fondly by the music of a generation. However, it was a time of strikes, industry and factories closed for good leaving generations from one family out of work and in a state of limbo not knowing where to go next, and losing their self-respect along the way. They wanted to work, the work they knew and did was gone.

Watching Boys from the Blackstuff as an adult I can understand the themes and desperate measures these characters were willing to take to provide for their families.  With the “dole office” watches these workers’ every move in an attempt to catch them and fine them.

The reality is they should have clamped down on the “cash in hand” employers like Malloy played by Sean Kingsley, the boss of a building firm who exploited the situation and paid these desperate men a pittance without looking after them.

Yosser played by Jay Johnson is one of the main characters that I remember from the television series. “Giss a job” is firmly ingrained in my memory. I didn’t quite remember how volatile he was in the series but you could see it was born out of sheer frustration. He may not have been the best worker but I do think with a bit of guidance he could have turned things around for himself.

His friends and co-workers Dixie (Mark Womack), Chrissie (George Caple), Loggo (Jurell Carter) and George (Ged McKenna) all had their battles to face too. Each storyline developed enough to give an insight into their home lives and then the team trying to pull together to find work.

Johnson’s slow-motion fight scene with the police is an outstanding stage performance. The emotions and loss that Yosser felt could be seen breaking down and his soul laid bare as the police overpowered him, taking away his last piece of dignity.

Sian Polhill-Thomas portrays a convincing Ms Sutcliffe in the DSS office. Rookie employee Moss (Jamie Peacock) is very keen to impress the department and will do anything he has to convince his bosses that he can be ruthless in catching the “benefit fraudsters”.

Nowadays with more understanding and services around men’s mental health, it is a classic example of why men need to feel valued and supported. Hopefully, communities will never see situations on this scale again.

Boys from the Blackstuff is an uncomfortable watch at times. From Yosser’s outbursts, death within the community and family arguments. It represents a period of history that many still remember and I dare say lived through.

For more information about Boys from the Blackstuff please click on the link below.

Four Stars.

Photo credit Alistair Muir.

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/boys-from-the-blackstuff/richmond-theatre/