Vamos Theatre, in a co-commission with London International Mime Festival and a co-production with New Wolsey Theatre, presents

Boy on the Roof

At no 73 Cooper St, Brian Baxter wishes his son wasn’t so irritating. Liam Baxter can’t switch off, can’t sit still, he’s disruptive at school and chaotic at home. As for Liam, he just wishes someone understood him.

Three doors down, Albert keeps himself to himself, sticks to his routines. At 91, he knows what he likes and likes what he knows. But Albert misses his wife and just wishes that someone, somewhere would have time for him.  

When Liam and Albert’s paths cross, no one can fathom what on earth they have in common. But the boy and the man share more than they know, and what slowly grows is a friendship that both of them need, even if the rest of the world can’t see it.

Created through Community Conversations across the UK, gathering people’s experiences of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), loneliness, aging, hearing loss, connection and community, Vamos Theatre’s Boy on the Roof is the story of an unlikely friendship, where acceptance, understanding and love find their way to centre stage.

Boy on the Roof is accessible to deaf audiences without BSL interpretation.

As with all its productions, Vamos Theatre welcomes everyone to see Boy on the Roof, including people who may need a more accepting auditorium environment. The company invites all its audiences to join in supporting this inclusivity, so that everyone feels welcome.

Suitable for 12+, this production contains references to drugs.

Boy on the Roof has been created with the help of Community Conversation. These are informal discussions, open to all, which we staged in theatres, neighbourhood venues and online over the first year of the show's creation. Everyone was invited to attend a Community Conversation, where writer and director Rachael Savage talked about the making of the show and invited people's own stories – initially of streets, neighbourhoods and connections, but soon including topics that were being frequently brought up during the conversations – ADHD, aging, hearing loss and loneliness. These formed the backbone of the show's stories and characters.

Boy on the Roof is our latest production, touring Spring 2024.

Come and see Boy on the Roof and receive exclusive access to a recording of the performance for continued study*.

Exploring what it’s like to live with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Boy on the Roof is a dynamic non-verbal performance based on lived experience of young people, with an exciting cast including Gavin Maxwell (Frantic Assembly). Featuring full mask, vibrant projection and an original soundtrack, Boy on the Roof is the story of an unlikely friendship, where acceptance, understanding and love find their way to centre stage.

Boy on the Roof is a perfect fit for drama and performing arts students from KS3 upwards (12+) and ideal for KS5 mask and physical theatre study.

Before or after seeing the show, you can also take advantage of one of our show-related workshops. Giving your students chance to take part in a workshop will help them understand the performance, its themes, and how to create and devise theatre for themselves.

Browse the workshops

Learning support materials are available before and after seeing a performance, and you can tap into Vamos Theatre’s mask and physical theatre digital learning resources anytime.

The production is accessible to deaf students without BSL interpretation.

*available to any educational group attending a performance during the tour.