To Kill A Mockingbird

The Lowry,  Salford

13^th to 24^th January

*** A production that everyone NEEDS to see ***

*** You will be captivated and engrossed in this gripping play ***

*** The casting, acting, set and costumes all equate to this five-star production ***

*** An enthralling courtroom drama ***

We were in for a treat tonight watching Aaron Sorkin’s award-winning stage adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird. We found ourselves in the middle of an enthralling courtroom drama. The casting, acting, set and costumes all equate to this five-star production. Atticus Finch (John J. O’Hagan) is enlisted to defend an innocent black man, Tom Robinson (Aaron Shosanya) who has been accused of raping a white woman! The production is a true adaptation of Harper Lee’s 1960 ground-breaking and once banned novel. Sorkin captures the essence of the novel, though it took a few years to make it to the stage. This was due to Harper Lee’s estate bringing its own case against the production and creating its own courthouse drama. Lee’s novel, which has sold 40 million copies since it was published is about racial injustice and feels as relevant now as it did then. It’s sad to think that racism and these type or prejudices still see the light of day and that society haven’t moved on much further than the 1930’s that the story is set in.

The story is set during the great depression in 1934 when the Ku Klux Klan are rife. Atticus Finch lives in a small town in Alabama with his children, Scout Finch (Anna Munden) and Jem Finch (Gabriel Scott). The children befriend a young boy Dill Harris (Dylan Malyn) who visits one summer whilst staying with his aunt. Their summer is made up of adventures and stories such as the one about Arthur "Boo" Radley, who may have stabbed someone once and hides away unseen in a house down the road! The trio all act out the drama as well as act as narrators throughout. Anna, Gabriel and Dylan are completely captivating in their roles, each bouncing off one another. They portray an uncorrupted honesty. Dylan also serves us some great humour through his lines and physicality that help to cut the drama and bring some lighter moments during the events.

Aaron Shosanya plays the blameless Tom Robinson, and innocent black man who is wrongly accused of raping and beating a white woman. He is forced to stand trial where the colour of your skill will determine a jury’s verdict. If convicted, he will face the electric chair. Aaron plays the role superbly capturing the innocence of the character but also the helplessness of the situation as a black person could never win or even say anything against a white person. The harsh reality that comes across the courtroom and the vanishing hope had the audience complete consumed.

Atticus Finch is appointed to defend Tom by Judge Taylor (Stephen Boxer). John J. O’Hagan played Atticus Finch perfectly this evening. He is calm and precise in his wording, bring about truth and understanding to the role of Atticus. He masterly delivers his lines and draws parallels for the audience, that will (hopefully) have you leaving the theatre questioning you own beliefs and understandings of the world.

Andrea Davy plays the role of Calpurnia. She is a black woman who has been with Atticus’s family for many years and has brought up the children. The relation between Atticus and her is more brother and sister rather than employee and maid. Andrea was exemplary, she plays the role quietly to start, a person who is just in the background, she gradually emerges and is a force of life experience and challenges Atticus of his own beliefs. Whenever she speaks is has been carefully thought out and expressed exquisitely.

Miriam Buether’s set design took us to the Deep South with a creative playful set that encapsulated the drama. Each scene was pulled into place from the ensemble. So many scenic elements to whisk us from courtroom to the Finch’s residence with seamless transitions. Couldn’t help but relate the set to Tetris with scenery entering the Lowry main stage from every angle. A beautiful set needs complimentary costumes & Ann Roth’s aged clothes set the 1934 depression tone perfectly.

This is a production that everyone NEEDS to see – for many different reasons, not only for the masterful story telling but also the thought provoking parallels to today society. You will be captivated and engrossed in this gripping play through its drama, humour and tragedy. It explores racial injustice as well as relationships and fundamentally what is right and wrong. Make this the first piece of theatre to see in 2026. Get your tickets for this magnificent piece of theatre via the link below.

To Kill A Mockingbird | What's On | Lowry