**** (4 Stars)
“Timely as it is Timeless!”
Critically acclaimed writer Jonathan Harvey’s greatest gift to the theatre is his queer coming of age drama “Beautiful Thing” debuting in 1993 at the Bush Theatre in London it would go on to become beloved by audiences across the following three decades and would even spawn a smash hit motion picture adaptation in 1996.
Set in Thamesmead in the mid 1990’s we enter the working-class lives of a southeast London single parent family “Jamie”, Andrew More and his mother Sandra “Megan Crutchley” who also have Sandra’s lover Tony “Zephyyrus Pettitt” living with them in their multistorey council flat. Jamie, who thanks to bullying, hates school has accepted he is gay and has developed feelings for the boy next door, Ste “Finlay Gilbert” who also has a broken home and must face abuse day in and day out. Add to the mix neighbour “Leah”, Emma Ward a Mama Cass obsessed girl with a penchant for booze and drugs and dreams of a bigger life beyond the limits of the housing estate they all feel trapped in.
What follows is an exploration of sexuality, young love, resilience and self-acceptance with Edinburgh University Theatre Company proving this play remains timely as is timeless. Director Gemima Iseka-Bekano really gets to the core of the characters in a charming interpretation of the play that packs a real emotional punch thanks to the stellar performances from the close knit five strong company who all shine in equal measure.
Crutchley’s “Sandra” is a revelation with a deep routed spirit of a mother who has given everything she has to make a better life for her son, and the powerful scenes between her More’s “Jamie” where she accepts his sexuality are simply beautiful and emotionally honest. Andrew More gives a delicate but always truthful take on “Jamie” there is an innocence to his performance that’s truly capturing to watch. Finlay Gilbert’s “Ste” is nothing less than brilliantly and honestly performed and his is the biggest emotional journey going from abused by an overbearing father to discovering he can and does deserve to be loved for who and what he is. Zephyrus Pettitt’s “Tony” brings levity and light to the role that allows the humour to cut through the darkness. The same is true of Emma Ward’s “Leah” she delivers a tour de force turn that’s imbued with comedy but also a rich humanity that sees her steal every scene she appears in.
Production wise the show really works within the confines of the limited spaces of the Bedlam Stage with Lily-Beau Wolton’s set design invoking the suburbs of London with ease although the set changes that take us back and forth from Jamies bedroom are a little clunky and could do with smoothing out but these don’t detract from the high quality of the show over all. Hanae Della Nave’s lighting design is peerless and balances warmth with the dark recess of the many late-night scenes with ease. Peter Lally’s sound design is equally brilliant and ensures a perfect balance between performers and the hits of Mama Cass.
This production of Beautiful Thing is utterly charming and proves how well Jonathan Harvey’s writing has stood the test of time with flawless performances at its core from a committed company, yes this may be a university production, but it delivers a truly satisfying and frankly unmissable evening of theatre! So, grab what few tickets remain.
Beautiful Thing, The Bedlam Theatre, Edinburgh runs until Saturday 31st October 2026. For more information and tickets go to: Beautiful Thing | Bedlam Theatre
