Bad Lads – Unity Theatre

Created from a story by Jimmy Coffey and the testimonies of other men held in the Medomsley Youth Detention Centre during the 1980s, Bad Lads is a powerful, devastating and vitally important play which exposes the systemic abuse suffered by these men throughout their sentences.

We follow Jackie Jones, a fictional character whose story is inspired by these testimonies, including Coffey’s own, as he serves his 3-month sentence. Jackie is portrayed by 3 actors: Danny Raynor as Older Jackie, Robin Paley Yorke as Younger Jackie, and Craig Painting as Signing Jackie. This was an effective decision, as conversations between Older and Younger Jackie not only rounded out the character, but also demonstrated just how severe and long-lasting the impact of Jackie’s terrible abuse was. Older Jackie, decades on, still suffers with PTSD. In one particularly effective moment, he shouts at his younger counterpart, ‘Why didn’t you fight back?’ It’s a heartbreaking moment that perfectly encapsulates the guilt and shame survivors of abuse can feel, unable to comprehend why they ‘allowed’ these awful things to be done to them. Psychologist Dr Susan O’Rourke, who was vital to the creation of the play and the continued support of the Medomsley boys, provides an insightful piece about Trauma and PTSD in the online programme for Bad Lads which can be found on the GRAEae theatre company website.

All three actors were exceptional. The haunted look on Craig Painting’s face as he signed the traumatic events is not something I’ll forget any time soon. Indeed, it was one of the most effective incorporations of BSL I have ever seen, with Painting adding vital emotion and expression to every scene. Raynor and Yorke played wonderfully off each other, creating a totally believable dynamic that served as the play’s lynchpin. Additionally, each of the actors multi-role, switching with ease from the vulnerable Jackie, to the cruel abusers. Given the vastly different mental spaces these characters occupy, that is no mean feat.

Director Jenny Sealey adopted a minimalist approach to the play. The set was simple, a metal table and two chairs, with a subtitles screen hanging above. Similarly, lighting and sound were used sparingly throughout, only flaring up in moments of heightened tension. This was absolutely the right call, as it allowed the audience to focus solely on the story the actors were telling, without getting distracted by any fancy production tricks. As Sealey said in a post-show Q&A: ‘We just need the currency of the narrative’.

It is impossible to summarise Bad Lads, so instead I will simply urge you to go and see this thought-provoking and essential piece of theatre for yourself. You will not regret it.

Bad Lads is touring nationally until the 15^th November. Further information can be found on the GRAEae website.

Reviewer: Ben Pearson

Reviewed: 5^th November 2025

North West End UK Rating: