Pig Heart Boy (Unicorn Theatre)
“I’m tired of being piggy in the middle.” #Invite
🎭 Pig Heart Boy
Adapted by Winsome Pinnock
⏳️ 1hr 30m
💰 From £8.50
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Age 9+
📅 26 Jan - 22 Feb 2025
📌 Unicorn theatre, London Bridge
Earlier this month, I had the absolute please of attending a performance of Pig Heart Boy at theUnicorn theatre with my youngest son. This was a really full-circle moment for me. I remember when Pig Heart Boy first previewed on our screens via CBBC way back in 1999, and now my son is reading Pig Heart Boy as part of his English lessons this term. Crazy!
I was so excited to be able to experience the stage production of Pig Heart Boy with my son, it was a worthwhile experience for sure.
If you have minimal knowledge of Pig Heart Boy, I'll fill in the gaps for you.
Pig Heart Boy was originally published by Malorie Blackman in 1997. It follows our main character Cameron, who becomes the world’s first donor of a pigs heart due to desperately requiring a heart transplant. While this is not exactly what Cameron had hoped for, it was everything that he needed, but unfortunately not everyone was quite so pleased for Cameron. The book while being written for children, creates a great discussion around the ethics of xenotransplantation.
It has been years (decades) since I read or watched Pig Heart Boy, but the production left me feeling fulfilled as I watched my childhood memories being resurrected by the exceptional cast & stage design.
What did I love about this play?
The stage design was breathtaking. I loved the use of what my son refers to as “The olden day tv’s”. The LED tube lights to represent the blood flowing through the heart.
The exploration of the relationship breakdown between Cameron's parents. This was done really well. I think more often than not as parents we often fail to see that while we bicker, this has a negative affect on the emotional wellbeing of our children.
This was a really emmersive and interactive play. While it tackles complex themes such as relationships, health, ethics & friendships, I feel that Pig Heart Boy remains a great entry point to our youngsters about the importance of such topics.
This is one that is not to be missed!
Will you be seeing Pig Heart Boy?
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