Review: The Children’s Inquiry, Southwark Playhouse

As a mother and a reviewer of Theatre for Young Audiences, I often encounter a tangible lack of respect for children, with child actors and TYA routinely dismissed as subordinate. A quick Google of “respect for children in the UK” reports instead on children behaving poorly. You have to question what impact this adult-focussed attitude in society can have on some of the most vulnerable, overlooked people – children in care.

The Children’s Inquiry by Matt Woodhead and Helen Monks urgently interrogates the history of the care system from the child’s perspective, focussing on true stories from four teenagers with lived experience of it. The narrative comprehensively explores 150 years of verbatim testimonies not only from young people, but also social workers, politicians, foster carers and care leavers, stretching from a time when children were ‘adopted’ for cash and routinely murdered, to current failings that leave young people terrifyingly at risk. Politics and the State are, crucially, at the centre of everything. And it does all this in a pumped up, energetic musical, performed magnificently by children themselves.

The adult/child power dynamic is immediately reversed when the audience must rise, as in a court, to hear the findings of the children giving voice to those who’ve gone before. It’s a superb cast of ten youngsters (on rotation), aged 8 to 18 (yes, 8 years old!). And these children are simply phenomenal, radiating passionate, youthful dynamism and challenge. They work meticulously in ensemble and excel in solo performances, capturing the cruel irony as hollow, self-congratulatory adult promises are spoken whilst children’s trauma is enacted, but sparkling humorously as ways are still found to play, to find family and love and defeat the systemic toxicity. Even though they are ‘just children’ their story is given huge validity by the show’s impressively high standards; from the cast’s own excellence to that of the supporting creatives. The music, by critically acclaimed composers Owen Crouch (Glastonbury) and Clem Douglas (BBC Radio 1 Dance Vocalist of the Year), is exhilarating, whilst slick, imaginative choreography comes from Alexzandra Sarmiento (dance captain for the original London cast of Hamilton).

The intense script packs in understandings, articulating a difficult world that already comes filled with anxiety about war, climate change, hunger. We hear the consequences of a life spent repressing emotional needs: “aggression is a language showing the need for love”. It calls out commodification of children, and reveals difficult bonds to break, where they want their parents no matter what has happened.

The songs are at times heart-wrenching but always compelling, and Crouch’s intricate soundtrack weaves historical testimonies with live singing, demonstrating how these stories are simultaneously in both past and present. The resonance of Big Ben marks an interminable passage of time, but also puts the constant presence of Westminster at the core of failing care for children.

Lulu Tam’s sparse set and cheap props cleverly signal institutionalisation and encompass the harsh truth of the poverty that can lead to social issues and make families fragile. Commonplace clothing remind us what childhood should be like, showing cartoons and sunshine. And there’s also hilarious comedy, as ridiculous Tony Blair masks and a silk headscarf represent Prime Minister’s whose rhetoric fails to deliver change or what’s most needed: The State doesn’t supply love.

It’s a long show at two and half hours, but even this speaks to the resilience of the children in care, to the relentlessness of the debate, which compels us to be part of change. Finally it’s a new time with a new government and responsibility is back with the adults. What happens now we know all this? What can we do to make change? Read our recent interview with Matt Woodhead to find out!

Produced by LUNG Theatre
Written by Matt Woodhead and Helen Monks
Directed by Matt Woodhead
Composer/Sound Designer: Owen Crouch
Set and Costume Designer: Lulu Tam

The Children’s Inquiry runs at Southwark Playhouse, Elephant until 3 August. More details and how to book can be found here.