The story of Neil Baldwin is an extraordinary one. Seemingly with his learning difficulties, life might have put him on the back foot. But Neil was never going to accept this. Instead his dogged determination saw him become a bone fide clown legend in circuses, a high profile kit man for his beloved Stoke City FC and more than that, a beacon of friendliness and help for students of Keele University for over 50 years. He has simply devoted his life to being happy and making others happy. The BBC drama of Neil's story Marvellous (in which he himself went onto co-star with Toby Jones) went on to win a BAFTA award. Now, Neil's story has truly come home with the New Vic Theatre adaptation of his book just a couple of miles from where much of his story takes place.
Malcolm Clarke has collaborated with Neil to adapt his story for the stage. It takes the form of a group of the actors who are in fact trying to tell his story (shades of Godspell in the approach) and trying to figure out what actually happened along the way. This is all well and good, but the 'real Neil' (played superbly by Michael Hugo, who captures many of Neil's personality traits) has something to say about it. And thus we are transported to the 1940s when Neil was born and through various stages of his life. Saying no to Neil is virtually impossible, as a succession of the famous and not so famous have found out over the decades, so when Neil says he wants to be a clown the owner of his chosen circus stands no chance. Thus was born Nello The Clown. For nigh on a decade Neil travelled the country for a number of well known circus outfits and made people laugh. He was undoubtedly exploited, working often for no wages, but just being able to make people happy was Neil's utlimate reward.
When eventually he does find his way back to Stoke, his mother asks him what he wants to do. Become Stoke City's manager is the answer. Well he didn't quite make that position, but the then new manager for the club Lou Macari saw something special in Neil as he waited in the rain outside the club entrance. He gave him the position of kit man. But Neil's inner clown wouldn't die, and he became a mascot to the team appearing in all manner of silly and outrageous outfits to motivate the players and fans. His legend was secured.
The New Vic's production is very cleverly staged. Neil's shopping bag takes on miraculous qualities as all manner of props appear out of it, and the wonderful ensemble each take turns at being Neil at different stages of his life. Suzanne Ahmet, Charlie Bence, Gareth Cassidy, Alex Frost, Jerome Marsh-Reid and Daniel Murphy all work their socks off donning different guises, dashing around the stage and giving very physical performances. But it is essentially Hugo's detailed performance which holds the evening together.
It is by anybody's standards a hugely entertaining evening. There is still a bit of work to be done for my tastes, the play needs tightening so it flows better. A good ten minutes could be cut without affecting the play at all, and a long clean up after the slapstick cooking scene could have been staged more effectively. However, small niggles in what is a feel good evening where a true original is celebrated.
As if not to be left out of the proceedings, Neil himself pops up at the end waving at us and making sure we have enjoyed his story. Well we have Neil. You are Marvellous.
Rob Cope for Doctor Theatre
The cast of Marvellous
Michael Hugo and Neil Baldwin
