The Boys Next Door

Four men with mental problems have been placed in a residential situation to develop their socialisation.

This is a gentle black comedy about an issue we usually prefer to ignore. Leave political correctness outside when you come in.

Director, Shaun King, chose a strong cast of actors. They create real characters who capture our hearts.

Garth Ledwidge’s insecure, nervous Arnold is bright, his language mature and he knows his geography. He is a cinema cleaner.

Lucien, superb performance by John Boyce, speaks like a three-year-old, is prone to tears of frustration, and works at a sheltered workshop.

Kitchen hand in a donut shop, obese Norman (Marc James) is obsessed with keys, which he keeps attached to his belt. He goes to dances for the disabled where his girlfriend, Sheila (Francesca Gasteen – another memorable performance!) seems more interested in his keys than in Norman

Young Barry (Jake Connor Moss) is socially withdrawn except where golf is concerned. When his one-armed father (Alex Lanham) comes to visit, Barry adopts a foetal position and goes mute. A telling scene.

We grew to love the children in these mentally retarded characters but as their stressed supervisor, Jack (Michael FitzHywel) points out, ‘They don’t change.’

Cindy Nelson and Richard Lamont augment this cast in multiple minor roles.

Comedy that strikes the heart.

Jay McKee

Images:The Boys (from L to R): Lucien (John Boyce), Norman (Marc James), Arnold (Garth Ledwidge) and Barry (Jake Connor Moss) & Jack (Michael FitzHywel) and Arnold (Garth Ledwidge). Photographer: Leesa Connelly, of Forward Photography