A HOME Manchester, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Leeds Playhouse Co-Production presents

Beautiful Thing

By Jonathan Harvey

Teenage boys Ste and Jamie are neighbours on a South London estate. Jamie is more knowledgeable about The Sound of Music than football, while classmate Ste never misses a sports day. Both are being bullied, Jamie at school and Ste at home by his violent father and brother.

One night, when things get too much, Ste seeks refuge in Jamie’s flat and, sharing a bed, the boys strike up a new relationship. Together they come to terms with their sexuality and explore their feelings alongside their Mama Cass loving, rebellious friend Leah and with the much-needed emotional support of Jamie’s lioness mother, Sandra.

This 30th anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey’s iconic, coming-out and coming-of-age story set in the nineties, is about community, friendship, rites of passage and what it is to be 16 and in love.

Beautiful Thing is a touching, urban love story, full of warmth and humour.

'a tender-hearted triumph'

The Guardian

'as timeless as ever'

Evening Standard

Production Images

Rehearsal Photos

Raphael Akuwudike (Ste) and Joshua Asaré (Jamie) in rehearsals for Beautiful Thing at Stratford East. Photographer The Other Richard.
Scarlett Rayner (Leah) in rehearsals for Beautiful Thing at Stratford East. Photographer The Other Richard.
Anthony Simpson-Pike (Director) and Robert Awosusi (Associate Director) in rehearsal for Beautiful Thing at Stratford East. Photographer The Other Richard.
Joshua Asaré (Jamie) and Shvorne Marks (Sandra) in rehearsal for Beautiful Thing at Stratford East. Photographer The Other Richard

Duration:
2 hours

Age recommendation: 14 yrs+

Content warning: This play includes sexual references

Book before Fri 14 July and get 20% off when booking three or more shows.

Audio Described Performance: Tuesday 7 November 7.30pm

Captioned Performance: Tuesday 7 November 7.30pm

British Sign Language Interpreted Performance: Monday 6 November 7.30pm

Find out more about Access at HOME here and if you have any questions contact access@homemcr.org

Download the Touch Tour introduction here.