"The Olive Boy" is a poignant and powerful coming-of-age story that tackles the complexities of grief, loss, and adolescence. This heart-wrenching solo show, based on Ollie Maddigan's own life, is a love letter to his late mother – to mothers everywhere. Writer and performer Maddigan brings to life his 15-year-old self, navigating the challenges of high school while trying to come to terms with his mom's passing.
The production starts off lighthearted, with Maddigan tackling the typical teenage struggles, from befriending cool kids to securing strong drinks for school parties. However, as he gradually opens up about his mother's death, it becomes clear that beneath the surface lies a deep well of pain and emotion. Through Maddigan's words and actions, we witness the fragility of adolescence and the struggle to find one's footing in a world that seems to be moving on without him.
The clever direction by Scott Le Crass and lighting design by Adam Jefferys masterfully convey Ollie's emotional turmoil, with strobing lights hinting at the pain nipping at his heels. Maddigan's performance is both captivating and cringe-worthy, as he awkwardly navigates social situations while hiding behind a mask of bravado.
As the story progresses, Maddigan's humor becomes increasingly self-aware, and we're invited to laugh alongside him as he gradually sheds his pretenses. The final act is a raw and emotional revelation, with Maddigan's words to his mother stirring us to tears.
Despite its predictable narrative, "The Olive Boy" gains strength from the specificity of Maddigan's story. This production invites us to confront our own grief and reckon with the loss of loved ones. It's a testament to Maddigan's generous performance that we're invited to take a seat alongside him, sharing in his sorrow and celebrating his resilience.
For now, tickets are on sale at Southwark Playhouse, London, until 31 January, offering audiences a chance to experience this unforgettable and heart-wrenching production.
The production starts off lighthearted, with Maddigan tackling the typical teenage struggles, from befriending cool kids to securing strong drinks for school parties. However, as he gradually opens up about his mother's death, it becomes clear that beneath the surface lies a deep well of pain and emotion. Through Maddigan's words and actions, we witness the fragility of adolescence and the struggle to find one's footing in a world that seems to be moving on without him.
The clever direction by Scott Le Crass and lighting design by Adam Jefferys masterfully convey Ollie's emotional turmoil, with strobing lights hinting at the pain nipping at his heels. Maddigan's performance is both captivating and cringe-worthy, as he awkwardly navigates social situations while hiding behind a mask of bravado.
As the story progresses, Maddigan's humor becomes increasingly self-aware, and we're invited to laugh alongside him as he gradually sheds his pretenses. The final act is a raw and emotional revelation, with Maddigan's words to his mother stirring us to tears.
Despite its predictable narrative, "The Olive Boy" gains strength from the specificity of Maddigan's story. This production invites us to confront our own grief and reckon with the loss of loved ones. It's a testament to Maddigan's generous performance that we're invited to take a seat alongside him, sharing in his sorrow and celebrating his resilience.
For now, tickets are on sale at Southwark Playhouse, London, until 31 January, offering audiences a chance to experience this unforgettable and heart-wrenching production.
I mean... who wouldn't want to watch a show about a kid dealing with the struggles of growing up while hiding behind a mask of bravado? It's not like we've all been there, right? 
And the fact that it's based on someone's real life just adds to the authenticity... said no one ever. But seriously, I'm glad this show is bringing attention to grief and loss, even if the narrative isn't exactly breaking new ground. The production does look pretty solid tho 
. I love how the show starts off light-hearted but then gets super emotional as Ollie opens up about his mom's passing. The strobing lights were so cool, they added to the whole vibe of the performance 
. What I loved most is that Ollie's humor becomes self-aware and we get to laugh with him, which makes it feel more relatable 
. It's like you're right there with him, sharing in his pain and celebrating his resilience. I think what makes this show so special is that it tackles grief and loss in a way that feels authentic and honest 
. If you haven't seen it yet, tickets are still on sale until January 31st - totally worth checking out 
I was literally crying during the final act 
it's just so relatable how Maddigan opens up about his mom and shares all these vulnerable moments... it's like he's speaking directly to you 
I loved how the show tackled grief in a way that's not preachy or heavy-handed, just honest and raw. The lighting was also super clever, added this whole other layer of emotional depth 
as for tickets, gotta get them ASAP! 
I'm definitely going to check out this show when tickets go on sale, it sounds like exactly what I need right now 
You know what really struck me about "The Olive Boy"? It's not just the powerful story of grief and loss, but how it's so relatable to anyone who's ever felt like they're trying to put on a brave face when inside they're crumbling. I think that's a huge part of its power - it's okay to not be okay, and sometimes we just need someone (or some people) to acknowledge our pain and help us work through it 
. The fact that the main character is still trying to navigate high school while dealing with this overwhelming emotion is like, so true to life... I mean, who hasn't felt like they're just faking it till they make it when really you're struggling to keep up? 
. The way Ollie Maddigan brings his story to life is so raw and honest – it's like we're sitting in his high school classroom with him, reliving those struggles and heartbreaks 
. The production design and lighting are masterful too - that strobing light effect? 
. But in a good way! It's like you're laughing with him as he tries to navigate these awkward social situations.
. Anyways, if you haven't gotten tickets yet, grab 'em while you can! It's on until 31 Jan at Southwark Playhouse in London 
the way ollie's story unfolds is so beautifully painful it's like you can't look away from the trainwreck that is his teenage life 
. but what really gets me is how scott le crass and adam jefferys bring ollie's emotions to life with those strobing lights they're like "yeah, this kid's got some serious grief issues" 
. and maddigan's performance? wow he's so raw and vulnerable it's like you're right there with him trying to navigate high school and come to terms with his mom's passing 
I'm loving the raw emotion that comes out of Ollie Maddigan's performance - it's like you're sitting right next to him in his darkest moments. The way he weaves humor and pain together is just masterful, it's not easy to watch someone be so vulnerable on stage but at the same time it feels like a huge compliment to their bravery 
. For me, what makes this show really special is how it tackles grief in a way that feels real and authentic - I mean we've all lost someone we love at some point, so seeing Ollie's journey resonate with you on a deeper level is just... *gets a little choked up* 
. And that final act? I was bawling away like no one's watching 
. What really struck me, though, was how much strength Maddigan showed in sharing his story. It's not always easy to talk about grief and loss, but he made it so accessible and human 
. If you haven't seen this show yet, do yourself a favour and get tickets ASAP! 
It added so much to the emotional impact of the show. Anyway, if you haven't gotten tickets yet, grab them ASAP! 
! Strobing lights makin' me nervous, like, what's goin' on in this kid's head?