“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view”
Like many of us, I remember quite clearly studying To Kill a Mockingbird at school. In later years I reread it and fell in love with the story. Since then it has remained one of my favourite classic American novels, so I was intrigued to see how they would translate such a powerful and complex story onto stage. Last night at the Wales Millennium Centre, I was not disappointed.
For those unfamiliar, the story is set in 1930s Alabama and follows Atticus Finch, a principled lawyer tasked with defending Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. Told through the eyes of Atticus’s young daughter Scout, the play explores themes of racial injustice, morality, and empathy, while also capturing the innocence and confusion of childhood in a deeply divided society.
Richard Coyle as Atticus Finch delivered one of the strongest stage performances I’ve seen. He brought authority and humanity to the role, balancing Atticus’s quiet strength with the emotional weight of the trial. Dylan Malyn (Dill Harris), Anna Munden (Scout Finch), and Gabriel Scott (Jem Finch) were equally impressive. They captured the innocence, naivety, and chaotic energy of children both physically and verbally — their playful interruptions, restless movements, and bursts of curiosity felt authentic and added warmth to the production.
The wider cast gave the story its depth. Andrea Davy as Calpurnia brought dignity and compassion to the Finch household. Stephen Boxer as Judge Taylor, Richard Dempsey as Horace Gilmer, and Aaron Shosanya as Tom Robinson carried the intensity of the courtroom scenes, while Oscar Pearce as Bob Ewell and Evie Hargreaves as Mayella Ewell embodied the menace and vulnerability at the heart of the case. Sarah Finigan as Mrs. Dubose added sharpness and tension to the community backdrop.
What stood out was how the production balanced the heavy themes with moments of humour and humanity. The courtroom scenes were gripping, but the children’s interactions reminded us of the everyday innocence that exists even in times of turmoil. The staging was simple yet effective, keeping the focus firmly on the performances and the story itself.
This adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird is bold, moving, and accessible. It honours Harper Lee’s novel while bringing fresh energy to the stage. The performances were consistently strong across the cast, and the audience response at the end was a clear reflection of how deeply the play resonated. To Kill a Mockingbird at the Wales Millennium Centre is a production that should not be missed.
To Kill a Mockingbird will be at the Wales Millennium Centre until the 29th November and tickets are selling out fast, so get yours now!
You can find out more about To Kill a Mockingbird UK Tour on their website, Facebook and Instagram!
And keep up to date on everything going on at the Wales Millennium Centre on their website, Facebook and Instagram!
All photo credits to Johan Persson
