“So much magic. So much love. So much laughter. So much work. So much rage. And so many tears.”
(c) Alex Brenner.
This is the true story of Connor Sparrowhawk, an 18-year-old with a zest for life. He loved buses, Eddie Stobart trucks, and Lego. But Connor was also autistic and had learning disabilities. Tragically, he died an entirely preventable death while in NHS care. His mother, Sara, refused to accept vague answers about what and how it happened and, with the support of her family and friends, started an extraordinary campaign searching for truth and justice ever since. This is also a story that unravels a scandal of neglect and indifference affecting not only Connor but thousands of others.
This complex story is beautifully performed by an exceptional cast, through fluid movements and, despite the grim subject, with optimism, satire and sometime laughter. The intimate setup of this small venue, the simple stage and the help of sound and projected images make the story resonate with the audience. We heard about Connor’s family heartbreak and despair as they searched for the truth and tried to navigate through the gaps of a system that is flawed, unapologetic and not fit to offer the help and support Connor and others in his situation needed.
Connor’s mum Sara – performed by Janie Dee – made a lasting impression on us with her frank, and at times impassioned, narrative bringing to the forefront the immense struggle a parent had to endure trying to provide the best for her child whilst keeping a job and a family together. “Laughing Boy” is not just a story of injustice; it’s a portrait of Connor himself. He brought immense joy to his family and friends, and wherever he went, laughter and love followed.
(c) Alex Brenner.
This performance delivers a powerful punch and brings what should be a national scandal to new audiences. Sara Ryan’s story “Justice for Laughing Boy”sheds more light on the personal and political dimensions of Connor’s life and death. But it also has a special resonance with the play’s writer and director Stephen Unwin, who is himself a father of a young man with learning disabilities and epilepsy. His interpretation of this story certainly captures the love, laughter, grief, commitment, and creativity that marked the original campaign for justice.
Laughing Boy is at Jermyn Street Theatre until 25 May 2024. Tickets start at £15. More info and booking here.
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