Scuttlers

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Until Saturday, March 7

‘THE problem with the youth of today...’ is a statement commonly heard in modern times but any history buff will tell you it is not just the youth of the 21st century who have their problems.

As one of the major players in the industrial revolution, Manchester had its own youth culture back in the 1880s known as the Scuttlers.

And this superb play written by Rona Munro and premièring at The Royal Exchange captures the essence of what that culture was all about.

Scuttlers were gang members, youngsters who fought for their street and their territory against rival street gangs amidst the unmistakable sounds of the working mills in a city that was branded ‘Cottonopolis’.

Munro’s play tells the story of two rival gangs in Ancoats, north Manchester – the Bengal Tigers and Prussia Street.

A tale of an area divided by honour and loyalty, the central stage at the Royal Exchange is perfect for the hustle and bustle of street life.

The Bengal Tigers led by the excellent Bryan Parry (Sean) with equally talented right-hand man Dan Parr (Jimmy) are the main players in the gang on which the story is centred.

The rough living conditions and the lack of income leads the youngsters to their brawling and makes idols of the kings of each street.

But behind the hard face of these likely lads is Theresa – a mother figure who is portrayed superbly by Rona Morison.

Looking after the younger inhabitants of Bengal Street, she is also respected by the gang leaders.

But behind this strong-minded woman hides a secret pain concerning older brother Joe who left to join the army six years earlier but has now returned on the opposite side of the divide to look after his new-born child on Prussia Street.

Those family ties are stretched to the limit and it leads to an emotional climax in the artificial rain pouring down on centre stage.

A tale of a family at war within gangs battling for supremacy, this is not just for history buffs but a real story of life’s struggles in late 19th century Manchester and well worth seeing.

DAVID PYE