Review | Road | Royal Exchange Theatre | 19 February 2026
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Royal Exchange Theatre has opened its homecoming season with Jim Cartwright’s Road. Unapologetically northern, this beloved piece more than earns its place on the Royal Exchange’s anniversary roster.
Road follows the lives of the inhabitants of an unnamed road in 1986 in a deprived area over a single evening. Not traditional in its structure, Road is more a collection of vignettes than a tightly woven singular story. Whilst Jim Cartwright’s poetic writing shines through, it could have had even more of an emotional punch if the audience were able to get to know the characters more deeply. That said, there is a reason this play has stood the test of time, and this production breathes new life into it forty years after its debut.
The production far exceeds just ‘the stage’. From the moment you step into the theatre, you are immersed in 1980s working-class England and are handed a ‘roadmap’ to navigate the immersive space surrounding the theatre itself. Actors walk around in character, interacting with people in moments of improvisation. In other parts of the building, various unrelated scenes are being acted out. The attention to detail in both the design and direction is impeccable. The immersion extends to the interval, where you can even go to the local pub decked out in 80’s metallic curtains for an event that you get to witness first hand.
The stellar cast is led brilliantly by Johnny Vegas, who breaks the fourth wall in a narrator-style role as Scullery. The universally superb cast multi-role a whole host of characters, whilst they tread a delicate balance between humour and despair. Jack Dunn steals the show with an extraordinary scene which explores his character’s depression in a way that feels extremely real. It is this level of realism that allows the show to feel so relatable, whilst the juxtaposition with humour prevents it from becoming too overwhelming. Lesley Joseph has the audience in the palm of her hand, with belly laughs galore both in the main show and a hilarious moment during the interval that you don’t want to miss!
For a venue known for putting new twists on classic plays, it would have been easy for Creative Director Selina Cartmell to transport this to 2026. In fact, it would make sense, with so much in modern society and the people within it mirroring those in the play. However, Cartmell wisely stays true to the play’s roots and focuses instead on how best to tell it. The immersive element is unlike anything you will have experienced before. This is by far the most out there the Royal Exchange has ever been and cements its position as one of the finest producing houses in the country.
Road plays at Royal Exchange Theatre until Saturday 14 March 2026. Whilst tickets are sold out across the run, a limited number of banquette seat day tickets will be available in person from the box office or over the phone at 12 noon, for performances that day.
Note: My ticket was gifted in exchange for a review. This review is based on my honest opinion alone and is without influence.
