Lionboy, adapted by Marcelo Dos Santos from the 2004 novel of the same name written by mother-and-daughter team Zizou Corder, roars its way into Ealing’s Questors Theatre. Directed by Georgia Brown, the production showcases the exceptional talents of the theatre’s youth company who offer a lively evening of entertainment.
With live music, copious circus acts, and a meaningful story at its heart, Lionboy has the feel of spontaneous fun and energetic enthusiasm. This is aided by the committed cast of young actors, all of whom absolutely deliver.
Charlie, portrayed with flair by Kodjo Kaladeen Wallis, is in search of his parents. They have been taken by a pharmaceutical corporation, who don’t like the fact they have discovered a cure for asthma. Illness equates to profit for the company, so a cure is, ironically, not what they seek. Charlie also has a gift. He can talk to lions! Once we suspend our disbelief, we are taken on a complete adventure akin to our childhood imagination, perfectly realised by Brown and her creative team.
Sean Keogh-Smith, Billy Adcock and Rufus Peaty all excel in their roles. Hannah G. Goldsworthy, Franka Duczmal and Benjamin Isaac Obado also impress. Ethan Macdonald-Brown, Klara Wit, Danae O’David and Jonny Perkins deserve special mention, but the cast as a whole work with such cohesion and have clearly invested tremendous effort into their performances. Rianna Howarth’s choreography, Sunghoon Lee’s music direction and Juliette Demoulin’s set design all add to proceedings.
The Questors Theatre deserves plaudits for championing youth theatre. Acting opportunities for young people are increasingly scarce, so it is heartwarming and reassuring to see young actors afforded such a platform. Lionboy serves as a unique, bold piece of theatre that has a great deal to say about humanity. Beyond the fantastical nature of the show lie timely and pertinent themes and we depart the venue both energised and with our thoughts provoked. Here’s looking forward to the next youth theatre production from one of West London’s greatest assets.
Review by Jonathan Marshall
The future. London. Cars are banned, companies are more powerful than countries and phones are powered by the sun. Strange cats roam the streets, and the world is getting hotter.
Charlie Ashanti can speak English, French, Italian, Arabic and Twi. He can also speak to cats. Like millions of other young people, Charlie is living his normal life here. Until one day he comes home and his parents are gone.
Using his unique skill set to gain the support of a passing circus, can Charlie and his band of clowns, cats and contortionists find what it takes to get his parents back and stand up to The Corporacy?
Lionboy is a rollicking adventure fusing storytelling, circus skills and live music to bring Charlie’s story to life, explore what it takes to harness our inner strength, befriend our own “lions”, and be the change we want to see. Based on Zizou Corder’s bestselling novels, Lionboy was adapted by Marcelo Dos Santos and first produced by award-winning theatre company Complicite.
This production is performed by members of The Questors Youth Theatre.
LIONBOY
Questors Theatre
25 February to 1 March 2025
my bff wus the meyn karekter