BAD LADS
Live Theatre
★★★★★
“Raynor and Yorke have deeply electric acting chemistry”
‘Bad Lads’ by Graeae Productions, in association with Live Theatre, is a powerful, understated, and captivating production exploring the real story of the young men held at Medomsley Youth Detention Centre in County Durham during the 1980s. Writer Mike Kenny presents a short, sharp, shock of a piece which exploring a convening of protagonist Jackie’s present and younger self and his time spent at Medomsley, alongside strongly integrated BSL interpretation. Created from a story by Jimmy Coffey, and testimonies from boys who were witness to and victims of large-scale abuse, ‘Bad Lads’ uniquely and boldly shares a heart-breaking story of tragic injustice and oppression.
Set between the present day and the thick of the Thatcher government’s “short, sharp, shock” policy which was advertised as a method of correcting defiant and wayward boys, ‘Bad Lads’ movingly captures the dark underbelly of institutional silence, corruption, and abuse. Jenny Sealey’s direction is breath-takingly simple, effect, and stark. Her direction pairs excellently with the straight-forward magic of Kenny’s script. Their work feels both straight-to-the-point yet never spoon-feeding, asking deeply what it takes to speak up against abuse after decades of being silenced.
A conversation between the “three Jackies”, the script tightly sifts through a hard-to-reckon past, and envisions a chilling sentence endured by young Jackie. As Danny Raynor, playing older Jackie, pieces together the puzzle of his abuse, Robin Paley Yorke, playing his younger counterpart, meets him with devastatingly knowing glances as he lives through their shared trauma. Raynor and Yorke have deeply electric acting chemistry, overlaying their cyclical dialogue and portraying a convincing performance of the same man changed by years of repressing his very difficult past. Their shared boyish humour, as well as their pain, fuels a constantly riveting performance. The show gorgeously explores an intergenerational conversation with the self, from the perspective of someone who had endured abuse at Medomsley, re-awakened by police enquires four decades on.
Craig Painting’s BSL interpretation and movement is beyond staggering. The expressiveness and deep emotion conveyed without a moment’s rest ties the connection between Yorke and Raynor together so wholly. The trio have the audience hanging on their every potent word and gesture, as they sink into the discomfort and trauma of the show’s revelations. Jacob Coleman’s movement direction consistently sheds light the horrors of the Medomsley boy’s experiences without overstepping into disrespect, leading with simplicity, clarity, and the strong stage presence of the three actors to speak for themselves. Motifs sink their teeth into the audience’s imagination and solidify perfectly as Coleman lets ambiguity and carefully considered gesture deliver the loud cry for justice the piece seeks to evoke. Aided by Virginie Taylor’s effective and engaging captions and video design, ‘Bad Lads’ provides an accessible, striking, and resounding message of urgence to push for accountability and recognition.
The simple yet effective beauty of this show is supported massively by Lucía Sánchez’s lighting, and Roma Yagnik’s sound designs, which integrate hauntingly with the bare staging. Moments where additional set are aided by lighting and sound stand out so effectively because of sparing props, set, and additional technical elements. The technical features of ‘Bad Lads’ are close to perfection.
Alongside the forceful gut-punch of acting performances, direction, and technical cohesion, ‘Bad Lads’ also sets a commendable tone across the venue for signposting resources. The respectful messaging and handling of ‘Bad Lads’ challenging themes, set a poignantly high standard for audience care, as well as care for those the piece shares the overlooked and important story of. The whole team should be highly commended for their excellent vision, tenderness, and delivery.
BAD LADS
Live Theatre then UK Tour continues
Reviewed on 7th October 2025
by Molly Knox
Photography by Von Fox
Previously reviewed at this venue:
DOGS ON THE METRO | ★★★★★ | May 2025
PRESENT | ★★★★ | December 2024
GWYNETH GOES SKIING | ★★★★ | November 2024
ST MAUD | ★★★ | October 2024
