I,Daniel Blake

If you have never been in a theatre where the end of the show is met by massive amounts of tears by the audience and a standing ovation for a phenomenal cast, then you probably haven’t been to watch I, Daniel Blake.

Based on the Ken Loach directed film, this stage production has been adapted by Dave Johns who starred in the original film as the titular character, and is a co-production between tiny dragon Productions andEnglish Touring Theatre, in association with Northern Stage.

The play tells the story of Geordie Dan and Londoner Katie. Dan’s been forced to stop work due to a heart attack, and is trying desperately to get some financial support, whilst Katie Jenkins and her daughter Daisy have just moved to the North East having finally been offered a flat to live in; unfortunately it is hundreds of miles away from her Gran. Dan and Katie form an unlikely friendship as they each try to navigate the benefits system that seems hell-bent on taking everything from them.

This is an extremely intense show. At the start, a recorded voice says that “this is a work of fiction”, but as anyone who has experienced the system can attest to, this play is anything but fiction. For ourselves, the play produced painful reminders and looking around the audience we were far from the only people watching elements of their life play out on stage.

A stripped back set of metal shelving that is re-arranged to reflect the different environments, and a screen which is used to show social media messages from politicians are the only set elements, but they are expertly used. The cold, soulless, shelving is the perfect representation of The Job Centre, yet seems transformed by the placement of a few items to represent Daniel’s flat. This basic staging allows the actors to be the focus of the production. So much of this play relies on deep human connections and this set allows the audience to connect with each actor as though they are the only ones there.

The acting in I, Daniel Blake is outstanding. David Nellist as Daniel Blake and Bryony Corrigan as Katie have an honesty and depth to their performances that are truly world class. As the audience we laughed with them, grew angry with them and ultimately sobbed at their breathtaking displays of the raw emotion of the characters. Byrony Corrigan’s desperate shovelling of cold baked beans from the food bank was harrowing, and a scene that we will never forget.

Jodie Wild as Daisy Jenkins also deserves a special mention as her transformation from an optimistic child into one that has come to realise the entire system is against her and her family is captivating.

How each of the actors are able to perform this piece every night without being a total wreck is beyond us. We were emotionally exhausted from watching the piece, but we were also incredibly angry. The entire cast were truly remarkable.

The social media messages from politicians displayed on the stage had a commonality of being completely devoid of compassion. The use of these posts on the stage was enough to cause outrage on their own, but when coupled with the phenomenal performances from the entire cast it’s safe to say the entire audience were incandescent with rage.

This is a breathtaking piece of theatre that should be essential viewing for everyone, and perfectly underpins how powerful the theatre can be. Do not miss the opportunity to see this play.

I, Daniel Blake is on at the Liverpool Playhouse until 23 September 2023 before continuing the UK tour. Full details of the tour are available on the English Touring Theatre’s website.

Originally posted: September 23, 2023