Southwark Playhouse Borough currently has Cassie and the lights showing until the 20th of April
The show is based on real-life events and interviews with children in care. It features live music, and this play celebrates teenagers’ resilience.
Can kids be parents?
The stage setting is basic and simple, not overdone and contained. It’s a small, intimate setting, making it more intense.
Photography Credit: Claire Bilyard
We were introduced to Tin (Helen Chong ), a vibrant 10-year-old. Like most ten-year-olds, she’s very into science and excited about everything. She told us that special stars need each other, which was a good Tin Talk.
We’re then introduced to Kit (Emily McGlynn), an adorable, quirky, funny, and Froggy-loving 7-year-old who loves her headband.
The usage of props, although minimal, didn’t need to be over the top to convey the message across
I love their little closeness as siblings. It shows how much Cassie is all in for her sisters.
When Cassie’s mother disappears at the bowling alley, watching Tin break down and Cassie trying to hold them together broke my heart; the teenager wants to care for her sisters independently.
It’s a genuine thing for the eldest sibling to want to hold onto their family and not want it fragmented
statistics show
Did you know in the UK, the total number of Children looked after by Foster families on 31 March 2023 was 83,840, according to the government website
That’s an astonishing number of children in the system, and many struggle to stay there. Kids should be allowed to be kids.
Cassie has passion, but the emotional response is that she needs someone herself to be a mum. I love they got to stay together, but I was sad that Cassie, who is 17 years old, isn’t considered on the same level for adoption. The fight in Cassie for her sisters blew me away, and many children would be similar.
parents and choices
There were a lot of poignant moments in the play and how stuck Cassie is in a situation her mum created; I know there were a few tears along with the scenes, but I wanted to give them all a big hug and say you got this and make them feel better that is how realistic the acting was.
I’ve seen Alex Brain (played as Cassie) in a previous show, ‘We Live By the Sea,’ which was also an emotional play that was very well put together. I love how my heart warms at the end, and I hope things get better for them all.
It makes you wonder, as a parent, how anyone could do that to their children. Emotions rise, and maternal instincts kick in.
I have to give 5 stars for this show well done
Press Tickets – in exchange for an honest review
To grab your tickets HERE
Cast and Creatives
Cast: Alex Brain (Cassie); Helen Chong (Tin); Emily McGlynn (Kit); Martha Walker (Swing)
Voiceovers by: Bethany Antonia (Jasmine); Louisa Harland(Alice); Oli Higginson (Mark); Wendi Peters (Teacher); John Thomson (Lawyer)
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Officer and gentlemen was an amazing show. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen. A fantastic cast who were amazing dancers, beautiful singers and very talented actors and actresses. Would watch it again and recommend anyone viewing this to go and see it. Highly recommended.