THEATRE REVIEW: The Boy In Striped Pyjamas ★★★

The Boy In Striped Pyjamas

The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Tuesday 16th June 2015

Based on the best-selling novel and one that is now set in the curriculum for schools across the country for years, The Boy in Striped Pyjamas has now been adapted to the stage, and even though I never studied this book in GCSE, I was always familiar with the plot, so when I saw this executed on stage, it certainly didn't disappoint!

One of the things that really worked was the use of marking out each scene clearly with the chapter subtitles from the book projected on screen, to help those who may be a little less familiar, and to also help all the children who were currently studying the book for school and sat in the audience, to which in this matinee performance there were many.

I think they chose the parts of the book to portray brilliantly, as each scene was snappy and straight to the point, and I could really tell that everyone around me was completely focused on the story unfolding in front of their eyes, and this of course could not have been possible without the fantastic cast, whose energy throughout never died.

Credit must also be given to the set design and the use of revolving stage helping the audience see some scenes from different angles during the performance, especially when it came the scenes involving the fence.

Overall, The Boy in Striped Pyjamas was a brilliant adaptation from the book, and anyone who gets the chance to see this performance are in for a real treat!