Review: The Show for Young Men

It’s a big one nil against toxic masculinity in this absolute gem of a show. Robbie Synge (aged 44) and Alfie (aged 10) mime and dance in this gorgeous duet, their ballad of male friendship. They needn’t be father and son; they could be uncle and nephew, teacher and pupil, maybe kind neighbour and friendly local menace. Parents and caregivers might recognise Synge’s slightly weary, long suffering energy as he and the impish Alfie play games, hiding behind sliding metal screens, shuffling through massive rolling plastic tubes, perching on ladders. 

Both dressed in blue Dickies boilersuits, soundtracked perfectly by Dolly Parton, Bill Callahan and Oasis, the pair dance and jump around the room, in a beautiful display of care, mimicry, teasing, coaching and pranking. When Synge’s mental health spirals, tormented by unknown dark forces, Alfie and a packet of biscuits are the low key safety ring, chucked out without fuss to bring him back to solid ground. 

Their rascally and tender movements are very moving, all while a radio in the background pipes in a football commentary and talk show about male emotions. The title isn’t wrong; young men will find much to learn from and laugh at (I took a 10-year-old who got onboard immediately with Alfie’s cheeky vibes).