REVIEW - Run, Rebel is a first-class show answering many lingering questions that a teenage girl holds

On Tuesday, we went to Lowry, Salford to see Run, Rebel Read what our reviewer Erin had to say about this excellent show...

Run Rebel has been a highly loved book since it was first released in 2020, and this stage adaptation is no different. The story follows Amber, a young girl desperate to do what she loves- run. However, she is trapped by her family’s rules and expectations, but when she’s on the running track she feels free. The show is a fantastic representation of female strength, determination, and shows how everyone has their own story. This performance has been beautifully brought to life by Manjeet Mann (Author- Run Rebel, The Crossing, Roar) and Tessa Walker (Northanger Abbey, Biscuits for Breakfast, Symphony of Us), and is perfect for all ages.

I went into this not too familiar with the story of Run Rebel, but I can easily say I was impressed. The sheer amount of talent was jaw-dropping, and each performer was highly skilled and enjoyable to watch. The story was gripping, and the fact it was told from Amber’s point of view, but also from everyone else’s made the show feel so real. The way physical theatre was incorporated was breath-taking, and added depth to the story. There was a key theme of running throughout, which tied really well into Amber’s ambition to make it to the national running team.

First looking at the set did confuse me a little. What looked like a skateboard ramp took up most of the stage, and left me wondering how they were going to use this when Amber was a runner, not a skateboarder. However, having the skateboard ramp was a genius design decision. It added dimension to the stage, and allowed performers to enter the stage and take different levels that would’ve otherwise not been a possibility. A moment I personally loved was when Amber’s father returned home drunk. When Amber and her mum were describing how he was swaying in the doorway, the father entered and stumbled against the ramp, and when they described how he ultimately passed out on the living room floor, the father collapsed onto the ramp and slid down. All the other props stayed on the stage too, such as chairs used in the classroom, and big chalkboard-looking screens at the back that were used to project scenes and photos. I have to applaud the work of the whole design team, from set to sound because their work pulled the show together in the most unbelievable way.

Whilst some of the topics in the show were quite heavy, there were moments where I did not hesitate to laugh. Amber is a 15-year-old girl, and Run Rebel plays into the humour of a girl at this age, such as when Amber breaks the fourth wall to ask the audience if she can replay ‘cute’ moments between her and David. Jessica Kaur (Brassic, Wolfe, An Adventure) was brilliant with these comedic moments, but oh my goodness could this girl deliver a speech! Her ability to bring about emotions from the audience was astounding, and every line she delivered was with gust and clear skill. Her performance was unlike any I’ve seen before, and brought Amber to life in such a way where you felt everything she felt and understood her completely. 

The whole cast was utterly brilliant, and most of them had to play multiple roles. They were on and off stage constantly, utilising many seamless quick changes to pull the story together, and one person I have to specifically applaud for this is Simran Kular (The Archers, Anita and Me, Girls Like That). She must’ve played about 3-4 different characters throughout the show, each one massively contrasting the next, but Kular had no problem pulling on different outfits, accents and even hairstyles for each of the characters, showing the audience her wide range of skills, and ability to portray such differing characters. 

Pushpinder Chani (Polterheist, Jungle Book, Faith) also pulled off a few different characters. One minute he’d be Amber’s drunk, angry and controlling dad, and then another minute he’d be a lively and flamboyant teacher, instilling the hope of a revolution in Amber. I also have to admire Heather Forster (The Colour Room, Casualty, Call the Midwife), as her stage presence was undeniable. She really embodied Amber’s slightly eccentric but worried best friend Tara brilliantly, and you could tell the audience loved her. Kiran Raywilliams (Against, Perfect Blend, Anarkia) was also loved by the audience. Raywilliams played David, Amber’s crush and one of her best friends, and I personally thought he was perfect for this role. He brought a young enthusiasm to the stage and a relatability to the character that is often hard to find. Asha Kingsely (The House of Bernada Alba, Romeo and Juliet, Eastenders) played Amber’s mum, and her emotional range was beautiful. The fire and love that Kingsely brought to this role was truly refreshing to see. She brought Surinder to life, and showed us as the audience the conflict the mother had whilst trying to make a better life for herself and her family. 

The show tackled a few hard to talk about topics too, such as patriarchal traditions, culture differences, abuse and alcoholism. They showed these themes in clever ways, showing the audience the reality of some young girl’s home situations, and the difficulty in language barriers. Neither of Amber’s parents speak English, and I have to applaud the way they showed this. When Amber and her dad enter their first conversation they speak in Punjabi, which made me wonder how I was going to understand the story, but Amber ‘paused’ the scene and addressed the audience as she usually would, explaining how she realised the audience wouldn’t be able to understand the conversation. Amber described how she and her parents were going to speak in English for the remainder of the show, and we were just going to have to imagine they were speaking in another language. Using Amber to break the fourth wall was an intelligent idea, and bridged the gap between the audience and the language problem. 

Overall, I have to say this show was first-class, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Watching Amber face her fears and rebel was thrilling, and really made me think about what type of woman I want to be. The show answers many of the lingering questions that a teenage girl holds, and spreads family love and strength. I urge you to get tickets as soon as you can, because missing this performance would be the regret of a lifetime! Be quick though, because Run Rebel is only at Lowry until 2nd November, so time is limited. You do not want to miss such an outstanding show.

WE SCORE RUN, REBEL...

Run, Rebel is on at Lowry, Salford until Sat 2nd November 2024.



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