Bristol Old Vic’s spring season of new writing continues with ‘Wonder Boy’

Following the huge and continued success of Dr Semmelweis (its sell-out run extended until February 19), Bristol Old Vic’s spring season will continues with another piece of new writing: Ross Willis’ Wonder Boy, directed by Olivier award-winning Sally Cookson, which opens on March 5.

This is a tantalising pairing, but one that makes a lot of sense, too. Bristol boy Willis first encountered Cookson’s work as a director when he was an usher at Bristol Old Vic and saw Jane Eyre, which he found to be an electrifying piece of theatre.

Cookson attended a reading of Wonder Boy in 2019 and was stunned by the unique authorial voice and sense of magical realism that characterises Willis’ writing.

The play itself draws upon Willis’ childhood. In an interview for The Guardian (2021), he spoke about his personal experience of growing up with a stammer, and how those years would later inspire Wonder Boy, which he wrote at just 19 years old: “The self-loathing and shame that can come with stammering is all-consuming,” he said.

“The constant worry about anything which involves talking is never-ending. The persistent frustration when your own body and brain betray you. Never getting to feel truly present in life because you’re always on the lookout for words that might trap you and frantically trying to find substitute words as a replacement.

“It’s really hard to express the pain of not being able to say your own name. I hope my play Wonder Boy does that.”

Sally Cookson, director of Wonder Boy, Bristol Old Vic – photo: Steve Tanner

The narrative includes themes of self-harm, suicide, parental death, and violence, but also a rich humour and theatrical imagination that made the text such a good fit for Cookson’s directorial aesthetic.

It begins as a story of a lonely and isolated teenage boy, but ultimately, it is a celebration of difference.

Sonny is twelve. Living with a heightened stammer, he is finding his way in a world ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants, and let’s not forget the biggest beast of them all – small talk.

A comic book hero of Sonny’s own creation helps him to soar above his bleak reality – but language is power and Sonny must find a way to be heard. When cast in the school production of Hamlet, he soon finds the real heroes are closer than he thinks.

Newcomer Raphel Famotibe will be starring as Sonny. The production will feature sound and music by Jon Everett and Benji Bower respectively, movement from Laila Diallo, set and costume design by Katie Sykes, and caption and video design by Tom Newell of the award-winning and Bristol-based Limbic Cinema.

Wonder Boy ensemble in rehearsals, Bristol Old Vic – photo: Steve Tanner

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Wonder Boy (age recommendation 12+) is at Bristol Old Vic, King St, Bristol, BS1 4ED on March 5-26 at 7.30pm, with extra 2.30pm matinee shows on Saturdays. There are some socially distanced, signed, relaxed and audio described shows, with integrated captioning for all performances. Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

Main image: Steve Tanner

Read more: Review: Dr Semmelweis, Bristol Old Vic – ‘a mesmerising accomplishment’

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