“On August 11 2007, Sophie Lancaster was beaten unconscious
in Stubbeylee Park, Bacup and later died from her injuries in hospital. She was
20 years old, had just passed her A levels and was working out what to do with
her life. She was killed because she dressed differently”
The above is a an extract from the playbill from this
extraordinarily powerful play, on what I think is its third outing at the Royal
Exchange Studio, before embarking on a tour of community venues and a short run
at the South Bank Centre in London.
I remember hearing about this sickening attack on Sophie and
her boyfriend at the time, and the subsequent trial. When I initially heard
about the subject matter of this piece I did have my doubts, is it ‘seemly’ to
seek to make entertainment from such a horrible and relatively recent event,
did I really want to subject myself to something so potentially upsetting. But
the things I heard following its debut made me want to go and see it for
myself.
What has been created in this piece is something quite
special. It is full of contrasts, most strikingly in the delivery. Julie
Hesmondhalgh as Sophie’s mum Sylvia, addresses the audience in a realistic and
conversational style, using Sylvia’s own words, as she remembers Sophie’s life,
and the tragic circumstances of her death. Sophie (Rachel Austin) tells her
story through a series of poems conjuring up some beautiful images, and she
moved lightly around the performance area like some kind of delicate sprite.
The main focus of the play is more about who Sophie was, a celebration of her
life, her strengths, her individuality and potential and what she brought into
the lives of the people she loved.
When the narrative moves towards the events of the night of
the attack and beyond, the testimony of Sylvia is absolutely heartbreaking, and
shockingly realistic. It’s hard to witness, but excellently played. And the beautiful
poetry of Sophie is in stark contrast to the pain and fear that she experienced,
and the hell her family were going through.
Austin and Hesmondhalgh are both brilliant in their
contrasting roles. Hesmondhalgh is measured, conversational and controlled, and
when she falters as she describes the latter events it is completely
heartbreaking. Austin has an amazing stage presence as Sophie and a wonderful
lightness of delivery.
The bringing together of Sylvia Lancaster’s own words and
Simon Armitage’s poetry has been done in a very clever way, carefully balancing
telling Sophie’s story and celebrating her as a person. The piece has a very
important message, but it gets in across in an understated and measured way,
and is all the more effective for that.
You could assume that the message that the play is trying to
get across is only aimed at one section of society, but it is far wider than
that. It really makes you think about how you perceive and treat others, the
assumptions you make when you see someone who looks a bit ‘different’. Whilst
only the minority would use this as an excuse for violence, I do think it has
something to say to all of us. I hope this can be seen by a wide section of
people as it’s a very important lesson for us all.
Following Sophie’s death a charity was set up in her name,
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, with a focus on creating respect for, and
understanding of, subcultures in our communities. Details of the charity and
its work can be found at sophielancasterfoundation.com.
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