Pig Heart Boy, Unicorn Theatre Review
Written by Bronagh for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Pig Heart Boy is one of those books I have memories of reading in primary school, fueling my love of literature and leaving me wanting more. Already adapted for television by the BBC, The Unicorn Theatre’s production is one that will undoubtedly be equally loved by audiences and set for a successful UK-wide tour.
We meet Cameron, a 13 year old boy who loves swimming. The only thing holding him back is his heart condition, for which he requires a heart transplant. There is one catch though – the heart that he is going to be receiving is from a pig. Pig Heart Boy follows Cameron before, during and after his operation, showing how his family deal with the news being leaked to the press and the complications post surgery.
Adapted by Winsome Pinnock, this production if certainly a faithful adaptation of the novel with very few tweaks. Despite being aimed at children aged 9 – 13 I, as a 31 year old, was absolutely hooked throughout. Immanuel Yeboah presents Cameron as extremely likeable, a cheeky teenager who has such a way with storytelling. He addresses the audience directly, asking us questions and our thoughts on matters, clearly a vulnerable young person who just wants to be like his friends (and able to hold his breath under water for a long time, as anybody familiar with the story may remember).
All of the other cast members switch between roles, from members of Cameron’s friendship group to his parents, one particularly snooty TV presenter and the doctors involved in the transplant. Not to mention Chia Phoenix’s turn as Trudy, the pig whose heart Cameron will be receiving, in a particularly memorable few minutes which was clearly adored by audience members. At the beginning of the show, I did not expect to see an actress act as a pig that could have stepped out of a nightclub, and I was totally here for it!
Pig Heart Boy presents some very complex matters, emotionally and ethically. Everything from animal rights, trust, press intrusion, marital issues and death is covered. Despite being for a younger audience the matters at play are not played down, addressed both frankly and as sensitively in an equal measure. Although the novel is over twenty years old, there were elements that could have stepped straight out of the 2020s. Notably, Julie (Christine During) wearing a facemask to avoid ‘germs which may have transmitted from Trudy to Cameron) to the LEPAR Animal Rights Activist (also Chia Phoenix) pouring pigs blood over Cameron.
The Unicorn Theatre is a beautiful venue, and it is only right that it is home to such a special show. There is a gorgeous area with headphones where you can listen to poems written especially for the venue by children, whilst admiring the drawings that adorn the floor. The whole venue feels so safe, a place for young people to immerse themselves in theatre and literature.
If pressed, the one word I would use to describe Pig Heart Boy is beautiful. If I was allowed three more words I would choose hilarious, thoughtful and special. The rest of the UK is in for a treat when the cast and crew embark on their nationwide tour. Not just for children, but also some great nostalgia for us 90s kids.
At The Unicorn Theatre until 22nd March 2025.
★★★★★
