Laughing Boy London Reviews and Tickets

80%

(3 Ratings)

Positive

100%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Profound, Relevant, Moving, Emotional, Important

About the Show

Stephen Unwin's new play based on a true story about a mother uncovering a scandal at the heart of her son's preventable death.

On 4th July 2013, Connor Sparrowhawk - a young man with learning disabilities - was found dead in a specialist NHS unit. Connor had suffered an epileptic seizure while in the bath & had drowned.

His mum Sara can’t get a straight answer as to how Connor's entirely preventable death happened. But Sara and her family won’t stop asking questions, and soon uncover a scandal of neglect and indifference that goes beyond Connor’s death.

This stage adaptation of Sara Ryan’s book asks if society truly respects the lives and dignity of learning-disabled people.

Former Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre and the Rose Theatre Kingston, Stephen Unwin ('Farm Hall'), returns to Jermyn Street Theatre with the world premiere of this co-production with Theatre Royal Bath.

Show-Score Member Reviews (3)

70%

Important, Emotional, Moving

See it if you are interested in learning more about the true story, including legal trials and investigations.

Don't see it if you dislike heavy topics. This is an incredibly emotional story.

86%

Thought-provoking, Relevant, Profound, Masterful, Intense

See it if you enjoy listening to tragic stories and hearing about ongoing battles against the status-quo

Don't see it if you are overly sensitive to tragedy

During previews

84%

Relevant, Profound, Great acting, Great staging, Great writing

See it if you'd love to hear a story that needs to be told about a hidden true hard hitting tale of the hidden and unappreciated

Don't see it if you cry easily

Critic Reviews (8)

"Sara Ryan’s 'Laughing Boy' is a bittersweet docu-play about brutal neglect and apathy."
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"...an act of representation and testimonial, even if it’s a flawed piece of drama."
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"...this moving, sentimental, often enraging story can feel sluggish and overstuffed"
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"an urgent look at our broken care system"
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"If indifference can kill, the play insists on recognising and championing individuality"
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"...it reveals a moving story about love, laughter and the indomitability of one family’s fighting spirit."
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"Strong ensemble work highlights the plight of people with learning disabilities"
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"It is not a perfect piece of drama...some sections are a bit clunky, a bit overwrought"
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Trailer

Creative team

Jermyn Street Theatre