Still so relevant, even after 50 years

“A Taste of Honey” Royal Exchange, Manchester

THIS production makes it hard to imagine that Shelagh Delaney’s ground-breaking Manchester play could be 50 years old this year.

Fifty years young you feel, as it tackles parental neglect, binge drinking, teenage pregnancy, racism and homophobia.

For this anniversary production, ex “Coronation Street” star Sally Lindsay makes her Exchange debut and takes on the role of horrendous mother Helen, played unforgettably in the film version by Oldham’s Dora Bryan.

Lindsay is a feckless, blowsy man-eater, seeing her last chance for a meal ticket with the wealthy but sleazy boyfriend Peter (Paul Popplewell).

She abandons her schoolgirl daughter Jo (Jodie McNee also making her Exchange debut) for marriage, while Jo thinks she finds the love and affection she craves in sailor Jimmie (Marcel McCalla).

As the inevitable pregnancy follows, Jo is comforted and cared for by Geof (Adam Gillen), who would now be called gay.

Back in Fifties Manchester, gay would have meant bright and cheerful — and Geof would have been soft.

Casino

In their sexless relationship, art student Geof finds someone to care for, while Jo gets the attention and care she so desires.

As Helen arrives back at the seedy flat, Geof leaves, and we fear the spiral is beginning again.

Each of the five cast makes the characters distinct and fills them out as real people, especially Adam Gillen.

He gives a brilliant performance to make Geof — sometimes just a pathetic foil to Jo’s erratic behaviour — a passionate, caring but vulnerable man.

The timelessness of the major themes, and the Manchester setting, are underlined by DJ Jon Winstanley, who punctuates the scenes with classic city sounds, from Oasis and The Stone Roses, to Morrissey and The Smiths as well as harking back to the Northern Soul days at Wigan Casino or the Twisted Wheel.

Full marks to wardrobe for dressing Sally Lindsay in nifty hats, button-through dresses and a drab brown coat to conjure up the era.