Sorry (I Broke Your Arms and Legs) at Pleasance Theatre, London Review
Written by Emily Kennedy-Neal for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
Sorry (I Broke Your Arms and Legs) is the second production in a double bill from Maybe You Like It Productions, currently Associate Artists at The Pleasance Theatre in London. Written and performed by company member James Akka, it follows year 8 student Sam Wilson as he navigates school life and his quest to become Head Boy.
Sam is what some might call a typical ‘nerd’, sporting an extensive collection of school badges and being a stickler for the rules. With his heart set on becoming Head Boy, he uses PowerPoint slides to recount the ‘road to the top’, or the ‘road to maiming your classmate out of jealousy and having to apologise’ as the title alludes to.
James Akka plays a young teenage boy very well, with a convincing awkwardness and energy that never falters. From the outset, he commands the stage and gives the audience a lot to have a giggle at. We meet other characters in Sam’s story, all played by Akka, giving us a fast-paced insight into his school life and the days leading up to the Head Boy election results. The visual aids in the PowerPoint presentations add to the humour and provide backdrops for some of the scenes, including a school disco and school bathrooms.
I highly recommend this show, bound to leave you laughing, but also moved at times. It may occasionally be a little manic, but that only adds to its overall charm and makes the quieter moments more poignant.
I look forward to seeing what Maybe You Like It Productions do next, because I thoroughly enjoyed what I’ve seen so far.
Sorry (I Broke Your Arms and Legs) plays at Pleasance, London until 09 May 2026
★ ★ ★ ★
