Review of I, Daniel Blake at Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton

Ken Loach's devastating 2016 film I, Daniel Blake sent shockwaves through many areas when it first came out and the worlds of politics and the general community became at odds with its depiction of the benefits system and the world of poverty. The political minds rubbished the theory and tales within it, but others knew well, living on the breadline and weaving and trying to survive the system themselves, that is was very true.

Daniel Blake is an upstanding citizen, a typical worker, who following a heart attack, hopes quite rightly, to be protected by the state in his bad days. This fails to happen as he finds himself unable to provide the points needed to gain benefit for his inability to work, and cannot take Universal Credit as he cannot work unless he continues to apply for jobs he simply cannot take. The system fails him, and fails his new friend Katie and her daughter Daisy, "transported" from London at the whim of the system.

The play has been cleverly and skillfully adapted by Dave Johns, who played the original Daniel Blake, from Paul Laverty's screenplay and it works extremely well. The strength of performance from the company often leaves the audience dumbfounded. Two of the most striking scenes of Daniel's second encounter with the garden centre owner and Katie's shame as she scatters the contents of her bag are as strong as you can simply imagine a moment in a play to be.

David Nellist is amazing as Daniel Blake, portraying the caring, but desperate man with poise and calm considering much he has to deal with. This contrasts beautifully with his moments of rage, making him seem so real. Bryony Corrigan is a revelation also in the role of Katie, far from the catalogue of her work with Mischief Theatre for instance, which audiences might be more familiar with. As she rips open a can of beans, we, in the audience, feel that intense need and desperation.

Jodie Wild offers excellent support in her professional stage debut as Katie's daughter Daisy, a kid, as Daniel himself acknowledges, has a much more mature head on her shoulders than her age. Elsewhere, Janine Leigh and Micky Cochrane offer great support in a series of generally unlikely characters, including the pen-pushing, obedient benefit officers. Completing the cast is Kema Sikazwe who reprises his actual role from the film as Jack the Lad, China, who often provides some delightful moments of humour with his Del Boy like plans for success via some dodgy shoes from "China".

The set from Rhys Jarman is simplicity itself and suits the show to perfection. Basically made up of a series of shelving, easily moveable from scene to scene with little break in the action. What breaks do occur are cleverly interspersed with quotes from mainly political players, all made after the original release of the film itself, and proves sadly that nothing has changed and if anything it has got much worse. The perfect proof of this is the need for food banks; at the time of the film's release in 2016, the area of Newcastle had just one food bank. Now, in 2023, there are seven.

These are the things that strike a cord through the need for I, Daniel Blake to exist still and in this production, stirring performances and impactful writing cut through the audience to make a play that needs to be seen.

A powerful mix of rage, anger and loving humanity.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Tuesday 31st October 2023 at the Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton.

I, Daniel Blake is at Royal & Derngate until Saturday 4th November 2023.

For further details about the Royal & Derngate and to book tickets see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Production photos: Pamela Raith Photography