UK Theatre Network

Simon Stephens’ latest play arrives in Manchester after opening in London last month.  Punk Rock is set in the upper-school library of a Stockport Grammar School where the sixth-formers are suffering from the pressures of mock A’ Levels, looming university applications and a surfeit of hormones.  In the ancient library’s hermetically-sealed environment, the long-established pecking order is challenged by the arrival of new girl Lilly (Jessica Raine).  Resident odd-ball William (Tom Sturridge) takes a shine to her, but when golden boy Nicholas (Nicholas Banks) wins her heart William’s sense of betrayal proves a tipping point.

The entire young cast excels, but Tom Sturridge’s portrayal of the borderline autistic William is particularly convincing, managing to be funny, charming and sweet in spite of his total lack of social skills. 

Simon Stephens describes Punk Rock as “The History Boys on crack”, but with its posh-vs.-poor tensions and stock suave bully (Bennett, played by Henry Lloyd-Hughes) it strongly reminded me of Porterhouse Blue, and with a similar body-count by the end.

In an audience stuffed with school parties, who were clearly enjoying themselves very much, I occasionally felt as if I’d crashed a private end-of-term party.  The playwright’s sharp first-hand observations of contemporary education and pupil-teacher relationships strike home again and again, and Sarah Frankcom’s production provides two hours of tense but entertaining drama.

Punk Rock is on until Saturday 31 October 2009

Prices: £8.50-£29.50

Evenings: Mon-Fri @ 7.30, Sat @ 8pm

Matinees: Wed @ 2.30, Sat @ 4pm

Box Office: 0161 833 9833

www.royalexchange.co.uk