Calling all StageSiders, welcome to another review here at StageSideUK. This time around we are talking about the critically acclaimed theatrical adaptation of I, Daniel Blake which played at the Northern Stage Theatre in Newcastle. This one is set to be an interesting one, so settle in and lets jump into my thoughts regarding this production.
Disclaimer: We were gifted a pair of free tickets in exchange for an honest review of the show. My review is honest and based on my experience with the piece, material and context.
Trigger warning: Death, Starvation, Poverty, Loss.
About I, Daniel Blake
Returning for a tour in 2026, I, Daniel Blake is a theatrical adaptation of the Ken Loach film with the same name. I, Daniel Blake was originally a film that gave audiences a intense, bleak and touching glimpse into lives of citizens claiming benefits, specifically Disability, Job Seekers and Child Benefits. The film is gritty, raw and shines a light on the darkest parts of the benefits system. Daniel Blake is a man claiming disability benefits after being signed off work by a doctor. Sadly, he finds himself in a back and forth struggle, jumping through the hoops of the government to claim any assistance he can while being told not to work. Unfortunately, the stress and anxiety get to Daniel and he suffers another heart attack on the day of his appeal.
Adapted by David Johns and Directed by Mark Calvert, the theatrical presentation seems to set out to add a layer of intimacy to the film and connect directly with the audience. The show is touring the north of England, sharing the story with regional audiences that can connect directly with the source material. Where I think this adaptation falls short is the realism. Sadly the play didn’t hit me where I thought it would, or at all for that matter. Something felt false about the production.
Performances and Cast in I, Daniel Blake
Upon the show starting I was excited when I saw the minimalist set, great casting and the initial set up. The cast really gave it 100%. Daniel Nellist was smashing as Daniel Blake. Really hitting some great beats, Nellist found the rhythm and went with it!
Jessica Johnson also played the role of Katie Jenkins well. The emotional moments were given space to breathe and Johnson gave it her all!
Direction and Staging of I, Daniel Blake
I don’t think the show fell short because of the cast, I think the show falls short in its creativity. The writing almost seems panto-esque in a live setting. With some direct to audience delivery, geordie slang call outs and some heightened dramatic scenes that left me confused. The foodbank scene where a movement sequence led to Jenkins’ bag being filled, to Jenkins screaming into a tin of beans, it just felt a bit dramatised.
I know its a play but I think that the content and the context need to be handled with care, and I think when people in the audience laugh at some hard hitting parts this means there is an issue.
Staging, Design and Visual Elements for I, Daniel Blake
In terms of costume, set and lighting, the show does a great job to give audiences a realistic and grounded look into the world of a typical working class northerner. There were references to the late 00’s-2020’s taking this story from when it was made in 2017 and allowing it to fall anywhere in the 2000’s. A sad reality that we all have to face, and help to change.
The video design and projection worked really well, in providing additional context, visual aides and some great set dressing that again really transported us from location to location.
My honest thoughts on I, Daniel Blake
Whilst the show didn’t hit with me, it seems to have been a huge success with other critics in its previous tour and its current run in Newcastle. Theatre is subjective and perhaps I am not the target audience, but as someone who has been on Universal Credit, has family on disability benefits and was a recipient of free school meals, I know how hard the world of claiming benefits can be. I went in knowing the source material and expecting to see some real, and honest discussions about benefits and the systems shortfalls, but what I saw was almost a mockery of peoples struggles and it didn’t sit right with me. The story of the film is important, powerful and highly relevant but I feel the theatrical piece veers audiences from emotional insight to bordering pantomime.
This show could be a huge success (to me, clearly it is already a critically acclaimed show) but I think it would take reworking, redirecting and rewriting to get there as some elements just seem too theatrical to have that effect.
Accessibility
The show deals with themes of death, loss, poverty, abuse, starvation, lack of food and money among other things. The show also contains pre recorded sound, music, theatrical lighting and some direct to audience speech.
Value for money
The majority of the seats for this show sit around the £30-£37 mark and I think for the play it isn’t expensive I just think that the theatrical experience changes and shifts the context of the story. Value wise you absolutely get a great theatrical trip, a rich feeling show and some really talented actors!
Have your say!
Have you seen I, Daniel Blake in the theatre? What did you think about the production? Let me know in the comments!
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Alyx Taylor-Scott