Blue/Orange won the Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2001, when it premiered at the National Theatre. Two of its stars – Bill Nighy and Chiwetel Ejiofor – received nominations of their own. It’s fair to say there’s a little expectation sitting on the shoulders of Daniel Kaluuya, David Haig, Luke Norris and director Mathew Xia as they prepare to revive Joe Penhall’s drama at the Young Vic.
Penhall’s play tells the story of Christopher (Kaluuya), a patient on a psychiatric ward who wants to go home. His doctor wants to section him, but the senior consultant thinks he’ll be fine among like-minded people at home in Shepherd’s Bush. Besides, in hospital he’s costing the taxpayer money.
While Johan Persson’s pictures don’t give away much about the production, they have given us cardigan envy and given us an appetite for citrus fruit.
Blue/Orange plays at the Young Vic from 12 May to 2 July. You can book tickets through the theatre’s website.