Manchester's Royal Exchange: A Bold Take on 'Road'

At Manchester's Royal Exchange, director Selina Cartmell has staged a remarkably bold production of Jim Cartwright's 'Road'. The play's working-class portrait, originally set in 1986 Lancashire, is expanded to encompass the audience and the surrounding building. Pre-show and interval performances in public spaces immerse spectators in the community's life, creating a unique theatrical experience.

Leslie Travers's set design, resembling post-industrial debris, complements this immersive approach. Actors perform sketches of everyday life, prompting audience members to reflect on their own connections to Cartwright's themes. This expansive vision aims to make the play's community feel relevant to the present day.

Johnny Vegas leads the cast as Scullery, delivering a performance described as measured yet pugnacious. He is supported by Lesley Joseph and a cast that brings Cartwright's characters to vivid life. The production captures the anger and bitterness of Thatcher's Britain, where dreams clash with harsh realities.

While the play's fragmented structure can sometimes make it easier to admire the acting than to connect emotionally, Cartmell's direction ensures an exuberant and abrasive theatrical experience. This production serves as a significant part of the Royal Exchange's 50th anniversary season.