Review:- 'Warnock' at Liverpool's Hope Street Theatre

ON Friday, 24 March 2023, we had the pleasure of watching City Theatre performing:- 'Warnock' in Liverpool's Hope Street Theatre, located within the Masonic Hall. Before the performance, we were introduced to the tone of the play when young actors, intermingled within the audience, began some loud, sometimes bawdy exchanges across the rows. Then we went into the action of the play proper.

Set within the fictional:- 'Warnock Youth Detention Centre' this might not seem to be the most inspiring of settings, but throughout the play, cleverly written by:- Barry Levy and Directed by:- Rebekah Moreland, these young actors played their parts with both zest and skill, taking the audience with them. As 1 by one, they portrayed the different aspects of their characters with panache.

This short play managed to highlight many aspects of intuitional life and its implications for both inmates and staff.

The script opens with scenes that suggested the humdrum, almost hopeless existence, of the youth in the area and the almost inevitable resort to illegal activities. In 1 such scene, 1 of the leading characters is arrested and sent to:- 'Warnock Youth Detention Centre.'

Upon her arrival, we were introduced to some of the inmates and staff, and observed some of their traits and the interplay between them and the staff. Immediately, we note the antagonism between the:- 'enlightened' staff who look for the possibility of progress in their charges and those who advocate the traditional, more punitive regimes.

Through a variety of scenarios we follow the twists and turns of life in the centre, sense the frustrations, feel the emotions and develop an empathy with many of the characters. The play culminates with heavy and dark events which affect everyone.

This play feels like the seed corn for further episodes, similar to TV soaps, developing story lines for each individual delving deeper and more fully into their situations.

'Warnock's' empathetic approach left the audience with any number of points to ponder on. It seemed popular with its audience and all crew and performers can feel proud of their efforts. A strong performance, that was well worth seeing.

The performance was well run, with thanks to the addition of both the Backstage Manager:- Elli Morgan and Assistant Director:- Leo Hewitson, who helped keep all the elements pf the stage show moving for the Director.

5 Out Of 5 Stars

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