Flock tells the story of Robbie and Cel - two siblings who are trying to stay together despite the care system having kept them apart. The show, which is written by multi-award winning playwright Lin Coghlan, is based on 3 years of research with care-experienced young people. And this research shows, both in the dialogue of the show and in the fantastic performances of the actors on stage.
Overall, Flock is a tender and heartbreaking story about two siblings in the care system. While the director and playwright make it clear that this story is not anyone’s in particular, and is not verbatim in any way, it is based on a consistent throughline they found when working with care-experienced young people. They noted that separated siblings was a really common theme. Given that context, the show feels very powerful and moving. However, without that context, the show might be seen as stereotypical. The plot line is a classic one of tragedy, and the ending feels a bit rushed.
In Flock, Robbie is on the cusp of adulthood, and that means freedom to live independently and ideally out of the care system. Robbie is clinging to the few things he has and is reluctantly doing everything his support worker is asking of him, all for the hope of getting a bidding number. Getting a bidding number will change Robbie’s life. He can finally get a flat all on his own and live the life he’s always wanted with him and his sister. They’ll have a flat together, they’ll have a dog called Winston, and Robbie’s best friend Miko will crash at their place whenever he needs. No more moving from home to home, or trusting people and the system only for it to disappoint you. This bidding number is it.
It was overall a great story, and very well acted. Jamie Ankrah played Robbie beautifully - instantly loveable and yet aggravating at times. Gabriella Leonardi played Cel as the perfect antithesis to Robbie - hopeful and playful, with the kind of maturity only obvious in comparison to her younger brother. Deshaye Gayle and Jennifer Daley as Miko and Mrs Bosely both had excellent characterisation in the roles of best friend and support worker respectively. Gayle and Daley’s character relationships with Robbie felt very real and honest, a testament to their brilliant acting. Gayle playing multiple roles as well was great, as he did so very clearly and hilariously at times.
The only two criticisms really are to do with the set and the playtext. The set itself was a bit clunky at times. The plastic sheets created a noise which was distracting at times, particularly the ones that acted as a curtain. And some of the block set pieces on stage felt unnecessary, having been barely used and easily forgotten once the play started.
With the text, the show has the power to be very nuanced and eye opening for those of us who have never experienced the care system before. There was so much to be explored in how Robbie and Cel came to be in the care system. Or about how the care system has affected Robbie’s mental health - with moments in the show where Robbie seems uncertain of where he is. Or more about how Cel fought to keep Robbie in her life when they were separated. Truly there are many rabbit holes you could go down with this story. My main criticism is that the storyline we ended up exploring is one of stereotypical tragedy. And I think given that young people in the care system have an incredibly nuanced experience, I wanted to see that reflected more in the show.
That being said, Flock is well worth a watch, and will definitely make you think.
Flock runs at Soho Theatre until 2nd November - for tickets and more information, you can follow the link here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Lucy Hayes
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