Review: Riot Street, Peckham Fringe

Two best friends, Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were killed in a fatal road traffic collision in Ely, Cardiff – an incident that sparked a riot which engulfed Swindon Road, escalating tensions between residents and police. Ely has long had a reputation for being an underprivileged area of South Wales and has historically had a tumultuous relationship with law enforcement. Rumours circulated in the community that the crash, in which the boys were riding an e-bike, was the result of a police pursuit.

Riot Street retells this story in a fictional setting, and for those familiar with the tragic incident, there is a significant departure from original events, with the two best friends becoming brothers and the e-bike becoming an e-scooter, which is notably illegal, unlike the e-bike that the boys were actually riding.

It follows the brothers, Ben and Elis (played respectively by Angharad Phillips and Geri McNamara) as they decide to take the e-scooter and race across town, and the fallout of this within the community. We meet a diverse cast of characters; a reverend (Meg Coslett), a policeman (Carwyn Healy), an illegal e-scooter salesman who ends up leading the riot (Gareth Tilley), and the mother of the two boys (Siobhan Bevan).

The script is well written by Seren Hamilton and adopts a style reminiscent of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads, with characters speaking in long-form monologues addressed directly to the audience. At times, however, the writing feels indulgent and overly descriptive, which can detract from the brilliant use of local dialect that is prevalent in the characters’ speech. The personalities feel authentic and relatable, resembling people you might encounter in your local high street, which heightens the tragedy of the story.

The direction by Hamilton and Thalia Gambe is strong, and the piece moves effectively from moment to moment, with movement direction by Tom Kemp effectively enhancing the chase sequence.

It is truly wonderful to see a six-strong cast of authentic Welsh actors backed by a creative team that includes Welsh voices. The performances are heartfelt and truthful, and all actors demonstrate a strong ability to lean into the comedy of the script where needed.

Phillips and McNamara exhibit good chemistry as the two brothers, while Coslett delivers a comedic yet sincere performance as the reverend. Her character resonates with the audience as she recounts seeing the boys lying on the street but feeling powerless to help — a moment that could happen to anyone.

A standout performance is Tilley as the rioter. He is bold and brash as he tells of how he sold the boys the e-scooter involved in the crash, delivering the deep-seated agony of the people of Ely, who feel ignored, forgotten and neglected by the police. The line of Tilley’s that profoundly resonates is, “No one gives a shit about two boys from Ely”, highlighting the community’s sense of abandonment by the very system that should protect them.

Riot Street is a fictional retelling of a tragic event that shook the community of Ely in South Wales. At just fifty-five minutes in length, it feels well-rehearsed and flows naturally. Showcasing brilliant writing and some standout performances, this production highlights how easily a small community can feel neglected by society and its law enforcement.

Written by: Seren Hamilton
Directed by: Thalia Gambe & Seren Hamilton
Movement Direction by: Tom Kemp
Produced by: Avril Maponga @ Blank Space Collective
Set and Costumes by: Alice Hagan
Lighting by: Cian Feasey
Sound and Music by: Imi Waters

Riot Street has completed its run at Peckham Fringe.