Review: Crossing the Line

Review by Ray Tempesta

Following the desperate tale that is the life of our main protagonist, Erik, Crossing the Line serves as a powerful cautionary tale for young people of the dangers of getting caught up in county lines, as well as to peers, parents and adults alike about spotting the warning signs that a young person is being exploited.

For the more naive among us (myself included), 'county lines' is the name given to drug dealing where criminal groups use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns, rural and coastal areas. They exploit vulnerable people, many of them children, by recruiting them as distributors.

This production from St George's Theatre has been adapted for the stage by Helena McBurney, with input from Director Katie Thompson, from Tia Fisher's novel which centres on the impact of county lines. And it's clear from the opening refrains that the influence of Fisher's verse style is a key part of the adaptation, as the action moves as freely and as fluid as the lyrical dialogue delivered by Alex Hardie as Erik.

From the outset, Hardie makes for a charming lead, with plenty of awkward physicality as he embodies an innocent, wide-eyed Erik as he heads to high school for the first time. This innocence doesn't last, as a series of devastating events leads to Erik being pulled into a terrifying world of trap houses, drug dealing and violence.

Along the way, we meet a series of key figures in Erik's life all portrayed by just three actors - Shyam Patel, Rachael Cummins, and Ralph Prosser. These include best mate, Ravi (Patel), mum (Cummins), and Mr Robinson (Prosser), as well as various gang members, teachers, and family.

Though at times it's not an easy watch as the pressure mounts on Erik and his mum, the storytelling throughout is so grippingly inventive. In the hands of this talented cast and production team, Crossing the Line delivers a drama that is equal parts entertaining and affecting, and in fact for me, educational too.

Crossing the Line continues at various venues in Norfolk and Suffolk until 20th May, including The Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft on 14th May, The Corn Hall, Diss on 18th May, and Norwich Theatre Playhouse on 20th May.