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THE next installment of Warnock was performed at the Hope Street Theatre. Blackridge, like the previous play, is set in a youth detention center and loosely follows on from the original storyline.

The staging of Blackridge ran from:- 15 Match to 17 March 2024. Sadly, it was not as successful as Warnock was. From what we could see this could have been the current economic uncertainty within the country. Also, a very strange new mandatory alcohol charge has been added to the cost of the tickets by the theatre. These factors appear to have had an adverse effect on the numbers that City Theatre was accustomed to reaching. This was a huge shame, as this was definitely a must see show for serious theatre goers.

This production started with a warning about suicide and domestic abuse, due to the content within the play. This not only was a good thing, in case it affected anyone watching, but it also helped set the tone of the performance. In fact, at the showing we attended you could hear a pin drop throughout both halves, so intense was the audience’s concentration.

So what about the script? This time, the story starts off after a massive fire had destroyed Warnock. We are told that as a result, the original detainees had to be moved to other facilities, with some being sent to Blackridge. The extremely strict regime at this new institution quickly shocked the new intake and the former Warnock staff who had been redeployed to the center. As the story unfolds, we hear that some of the original inmates from Warnock had died in the fire and as the plot progresses it transpired one of Warnock’s former detainees was holding back a dark secret. These revelations at Blackridge would ultimately lead into the play’s climatic ending.

We would love to say it is all roses and all amazing, but Barry Lavy must stop using his rather predictable format for future plays. Also, yet again, the lack of props and scenery was a bit disappointing, but to be expected, due to the nature of the venue’s layout. Oddly, saying that, this was probably the best show we have seen from Barry. This script and the very good acting meant this was a very immersive and gripping, gritty, theatrical journey. Yes, some artistic license was taken, with its portrayal of a youth detention center for girls; however, it did raise some very good questions about the complexities of life within these confined walls. The cast was extremely good, so it was impossible to pick out anybody special as they all delivered a very good performance throughout.

If this heads back to the stage again, do not overlook it.

Did you attend? We would love to hear from you and know what you thought about the show…

Our verdict has to be:- 5 out of 5. A strong cast and strong performance, only let down by the fact this deserves to be on a bigger stage with a bigger budget, but that is only our opinion.

For more information about City Theater please visit:- CityEntertainmentGroup.Co.UK, also please check out Hope Street Theater's website for other upcoming shows.

Our rating:- 5 out of 5

Blackridge Cast:-

Harry - Joe Gordon
Miss Taylor - Libbie Cowburn
Kerry Glover - Molly Riley
Runt - Celia Lavelle-Hitchen
Harlow Glover - Taylor Egan
Greg - John Forrester
Lynn Johnson - Alix Meakin
Miss Hardy - Shannon Griffiths
Dave Rodgers - Matt Hanlon
Mr Hughes - Sam Jones-Arthur
Aimee Mitchell - Hannah Edwards
Stacey Knightly - Lexi King
Spider - Abi Tyrer
Mr Stein - Sean Campbell
Tyrus - Hannah Price
Dr Shane Ramsey - Jamie Gallagher
Governor - Gemma Harrison
Georgia Atkins - Becca Southwick
Dodge - Johnny Sedgwick Davies

If you attended the show and were affected by the story, please remember you can get help 24 hours a day via Samaritans by calling the helpline:- 116123 or texting:- 'SHOUT' to:- 852558.

We are pleased to confirm that our media arm, VAMPHire.Com of the business is now looking at making Warnock into a TV series, as this play really upped the game.