REVIEW: SEAL BOY by Ken Weitzman at Riverside Studios 21 May – 1 June 2024

‘a fable which entertains whilst at the same time redefining the role of motherhood’ ★★★★

A surreal show which captures the heart of many parenting experiences; especially for parents who feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of bringing new life into the world. This show challenges all preconceived ideas of what we should want for our children. In the face of giving birth to a child that doesn’t conform to the norm, perhaps even a child who might present a danger to society, the rule books aren’t much help.

The play is presented as a fable.  Meg gives birth to a seal (Seal Boy). He’s not developing in the way he should, he’s much too big, and the only food he likes is fish.  He’s a late developer and can only parrot what he has heard. Meg is terrified that she won’t be a good mother, and the father Darrin is equally scared when he loses his job as a lawyer in which he prosecutes bad parents.   

The pair are served with a lawsuit for bad parenting which leaves them on a downward trajectory.  The play is stuffed full of characters who they meet on their journey, rather like Pilgrim’s Progress. They meet other parents and characters who add the kind of pressures that we have come to expect from society. At each stage, something new is learned about Seal Boy, about the things that he can do, rather than the things that he cannot achieve.  In the final scenes, Seal Boy meets his match in Penguin Girl, is this relationship that will give hope to the family?

The litigation scenes, are not the only clue to the play’s provenance, written by American Award-Winning playwright Ken Weitzman, there are a number of references which clearly relate to life in the United States. The play receives its debut here, and despite the cultural differences there is still the thread of  universal truth. Weitzman himself was parent to a child with autism and the play reflects his experiences. 

It’s a very busy piece with lots of action and choreographed movements, with actors completely committed to the rarest of roles.  They are aided by the set (by Sean Turner) which includes a series of wardrobes, a nifty idea for allowing the many exits and entrances of the many characters played by the chorus. 

Maya-Nika Bewley as the mother has boundless energy and a wonderfully expressive face, albeit mostly showing various stages of anxiety which is likely to hit a nerve with anyone who has been in a similar position. Clearly wanting so badly to get it right, loving her child so much, and rooting for him all the time.  It’s worth noting that the show has positive vibes and an overriding sense of love despites the many setbacks to finding some kind of stability for Seal Boy.

Olivier Sublet as Seal Boy, often brings the humour, playing a man sized baby along with the cutest suckling noises has to be seen and heard to be appreciated.  Perry Moore as the dad does a good line in ‘confused’ and ‘alarmed’ whilst Sophia Borkenhagen as Penguin Girl is a wonderfully petulant teenager. 

Finally, it is apt to praise the direction by Sean Turner. It really is a wacky show, and to keep it meaningful, to draw out sympathy for the characters, to bring the play to a charming and upbeat end, does show a lot of skill. There is plenty of entertainment here, but also food for thought about the things that are truly important for bringing up a child and renegotiating the terms of what can be considered to be a success.

SEAL BOY by Ken Weitzman at Riverside Studios

21 May – 1 June 2024

Box Office https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/seal-boy-106925/

CREDITS:

Director: Sean Turner (Play That Goes Wrong, Midsummer Night's Dream at the Gatehouse Theatre, Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse for England)

CAST:

Maya-Nika Bewley - Meg

Olivier Sublet – Seal Boy

Perry Moore - Darrin

Sophia Borkenhagen – Penguin Girl

Millie Hikasa - Chorus

Will Taylor - Chorus

Noa Nikita Bleeker - Chorus

COMPANY:

Evol Productions

Reviewed by Heather Jeffery