Apples, The Rose Theatre

Apples, Richard Milward’s earthy story of drug and alcohol-blitzed contemporary Humberside teenage life, is bought to the stage by Northern Stage and Company of Angels in John Retallack’s measured, humorous and thoroughly engaging production.

Milward’s ripe, poetic language is held securely by Verity Quinn’s simple and effective design and Retallack’s meticulous direction of a strong ensemble cast. Nothing is unnecessary. The actors play above their stage ages, providing a welcome emotional distance for the audience and the stage brims full with the visceral, watery lives of Adam, Eve, Gazza and ‘The Virgin’.

The opening monologues plunge us directly into a world of hedonistic teenage pleasure seeking -"When I pop my cherry my world will be a sunburst of petals". Has the E culture of Year Nine ever been so seductively drawn?

Yet the consequences of this teenage decadent excess are securely handled; Eve (Therase Neve) ultimately questions her alcohol-fuelled, champagne and sex lifestyle and the complete absence of any nurturing adult presence reminds us how instantly and pleasurably drugs can fill the teenage void. In a chilling antipathy to this, Jade Burn’s Claire propels her tiny baby from a bridge in a simple prosaic gesture, as if she were hanging out the washing.

Scott Turnbill impresses as the sensitive oddball turned heartthrob Adam as does Louis Roberts’ brutal yet hilarious Gary; this is a definitely show you should risk experiencing.

Duncan Alldridge