What's On

I, Daniel Blake

A tiny dragon Productions and ETT co-production in association with Northern Stage. Originally co-produced with Birmingham Rep and Oldham Coliseum

–

Tickets from £10

5 Stars

Heartfelt performances centre a powerful adaptation of the Ken Loach film that feels more relevant than ever

The Stage

Adapted by David Johns
Daniel Blake adapted by Dave Johns from the film directed by Ken Loach, written by
Paul Laverty, and produced by Rebecca O’Brien for Sixteen Films.


Dan is a carpenter. A Geordie through and through. Just on the mend after a heart attack.

Katie has just arrived from London. Finally got a council house for her and the kids. A fresh start.

I, Daniel Blake is one of the most important stories of a generation. A glimpse behind the headlines and the stark reality of what happens when the political system is stacked against you. With 14.5 million* people living in poverty in the UK, this is not fiction. It is reality.

A touching and vital story of how people come together in the face of adversity and how sometimes creating a family to support you just isn’t enough. The show is adapted for stage by Dave Johns who played Daniel Blake in the award winning 2016 film.

*Joseph Rowntree Foundation 2022 Poverty Report.

4 Stars

A tangible thread of anger runs through this production. The Dans and Katies have not gone away. Far from it.

WhatsOnStage

5 Stars

Raw, relevant and heartbreaking

Theatre & Tonic

Image gallery

  • Cast members stand in a triangular formation, a tweet by Damian Green is projected above them.
  • A man in a blue camouflage top sits on the corner of a table.
  • A man in a yellow beanie stretches out his arms above him, a distressed above him reads 'VOTE FOR CHANGE'.
  • A man carries two black bin bags, two women walk behind him taking in their surroundings
  • A woman stands centre stage, another woman in a shadow stands next to her, she holds a basket and wears an apron that says 'Foodbank'. A large sign above them reads 'FOODBANK DONATIONS'.
  • A man stands on a table facing a handwritten projection that reads 'I, DANIEL BLAKE', a woman stands on the stage next to him.
  • Two men stand next to each other on stage. One looks down at the ground, the other looks towards him, holding a bouquet of flowers. A sign behind them reads 'UNLEASH BRITAIN'S POTENTIAL'
  • A woman in a coat looks slightly upwards and grips onto a small piece of paper. A tweet is projected above the stage.
  • Cast members stand in a triangular formation, a tweet by Damian Green is projected above them.
  • A man in a blue camouflage top sits on the corner of a table.
  • A man in a yellow beanie stretches out his arms above him, a distressed above him reads 'VOTE FOR CHANGE'.
  • A man carries two black bin bags, two women walk behind him taking in their surroundings
  • A woman stands centre stage, another woman in a shadow stands next to her, she holds a basket and wears an apron that says 'Foodbank'. A large sign above them reads 'FOODBANK DONATIONS'.
  • A man stands on a table facing a handwritten projection that reads 'I, DANIEL BLAKE', a woman stands on the stage next to him.
  • Two men stand next to each other on stage. One looks down at the ground, the other looks towards him, holding a bouquet of flowers. A sign behind them reads 'UNLEASH BRITAIN'S POTENTIAL'
  • A woman in a coat looks slightly upwards and grips onto a small piece of paper. A tweet is projected above the stage.

Additional Information

Credits

Director: Mark Calvert
Adaptor: Dave Johns
Designer: Rhys Jarman
Composer: Ross Millard
Sound Design: Roma Yagnik
Lighting Design: Simisola Majekodunmi
Video Design: Matthew Brown from PixelLux
Movement Director: Martin Hylton
Assistant Director: Siobhan McAuley
Wardrobe Supervisor: Naomi Daley

Produced by tiny dragon Productions

Content Warning

The show is based upon the 2016 film of the same title, and follows the story of Daniel Blake.

Daniel is a working class Geordie in recovery from a heart attack. He has been advised not to work by his doctor, but has been deemed fit for work at an assessment at the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions). Throughout the play we see him struggle with the bureaucracy of the benefits system, and battle the prejudices faced by those seeking benefits.

During the course of the play he befriends a young single mother, Katie, who has been relocated to Newcastle by the Housing Association. We see her struggle to make ends meet as she tries to create a new start for herself and her daughter in Newcastle and having to resort to working at an escort agency and using foodbanks.

The show contains strong language, death and potentially triggering references to foodbanks, sex work and the benefits system.

Dates & Times

  • Friends50%MembersOpt In
    Buy tickets

  • MembersOpt In
    Buy tickets

  • Buy tickets

  • Buy tickets

  • Buy tickets

  • Friends50%
    Buy tickets

  • Buy tickets