A new stage adaptation of Ken Loach and Paul Laverty’s award-winning film, I, Daniel Blake comes to The Courtyard Theatre where Leo Owen caught the show

AS testament to the success of Dave Johns’ adaptation, audible sniffs and nose blowing signpost just how faithful he remains to source material. Having starred as the titular character in the original film, Johns is clearly invested in the story and has invaluable insight into its protagonist. His director, Mark Calvert, volunteered at food banks, giving him first-hand experience of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Together they pay homage to the 2016 film while ensuring its of enormous contemporary relevance through the inclusion of more recent news footage and shocking figures.

Focussing on Daniel Blake (David Nellist), a carpenter who has been signed off work by his doctor after suffering a heart attack, the story highlights the extreme hypocrisies of the benefit system and its red tape. Unable to work for health reasons, Daniel battles the system, awaiting news from the ominous-sounding “Decision-Maker”.

Meanwhile Katie (Bryony Corrigan) and her teenage daughter, Daisy (Jodie Wild), have relocated to Newcastle after being promised a flat after years of bunking down in a London hostel. After a disastrous first job centre appointment, their path crosses Daniel and they form an unlikely family unit.

Rhys Jarman’s set design is simple but versatile, making especially good use of the screen above the stage to punctuate the action with political social media updates, such as Boris Johnson defending the Universal Credit scheme. As the characters’ lives spiral out of control, his billboard projection mirrors their deterioration. A shallow red brick wall and generic office shelves signify the basic council housing of the leads and the job centre that act as the play’s main locations.

Calvert using voice-overs for job centre calls adds to the sense of alienation the audience feel for Daniel as he frustratingly listens to the hold music once again or attempts to get job centre staff to deviate from the script they’ve been trained to rigidly follow. Political voice-overs are cleverly juxtaposed with live action to emphasise the reality of the struggle so many face to simply survive each day.

Nellist, Corrigan and Wild are phenomenal in the central roles, perfectly encapsulating the fighting spirit, warmth and good-humour of their characters. Especially moving is a scene at the food bank that captures Katie’s complete desperation and Wild visiting Nellist is heart-breaking to watch too.

Compelling, moving and thought-provoking, I, Daniel Blake is such an important piece of social commentary that disappointingly feels all the more relevant seven years on. Although emotionally draining for anyone with heart, it’s full of humanity and really should be compulsive viewing as it contradicts the appalling generalisations about those on benefits perpetuated by the media. A resounding success, I, Daniel Blake the stage production garnered a well-deserved standing ovation.

I, Daniel Blake showed in The Courtyard Theatre from 3-7 October before continuing its UK tour: https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/i-daniel-blake-2/#tour-dates