If you stroll along Duke Street in Doncaster today, you will find no trace of the former Karisma nightclub, with its distinctive sunburst facade and notoriously tiring staircase. The venue, which once magnetised a generation of 1990s clubbers, has long been converted into retail spaces and later residential flats. For those eager for dancefloor liberation, queuing for an hour was a small price to pay, aside from the few who mastered the art of kissing their way to the front.
Yorkshire's Own Vegas
The Coach and Horses pub remains nearby, alongside a town centre that embraces a hedonistic atmosphere often likened to Magaluf. As Danielle Phillips' vibrant play aptly describes it, Doncaster is "Yorkshire's very own Vegas." This reputation stems from the town's closeness to numerous mining villages, making it a traditional and enduring hub for working-class revellers, even after Margaret Thatcher's policies devastated the local coal industry, stripping the area of its economic core.
A Celebration and Reflection
This underlying social context subtly informs Children of the Night, a play inspired by interviews with regular patrons of Karisma. It serves as both a joyous tribute to teenage vitality and a thoughtful examination of the societal influences shaping popular culture. Phillips, writing in a spirited urban poetry and performing with bold confidence, transports audiences back to 1997—a year marked by the ousting of the Tories, Robbie Williams' debut solo album, and the UK's Eurovision victory with Love Shine a Light.
Amidst this optimistic backdrop, best friends Lindsay and Jen, portrayed by Phillips and the equally effervescent Charlotte Brown, experience their first night at Karisma. The pulsating bass from DJ Don amplifies the thrills of dancing, drinking, and revelry. However, the mood darkens in subsequent years with a series of HIV cases and the plight of Lindsay's compassionate father, played by Gareth Radcliffe, who suffers from cerebral hypoxia due to his time working in the mines.
Staging and Reception
Directed by Kimberley Sykes for Mad Friday Productions, the production shines brightest in its opening scenes, where nods to local landmarks like Mothercare corner and Biscuit Billy's elicit laughter of recognition from the hometown audience. While later segments may lose some of this initial sparkle, the play remains a quietly insightful portrayal of working-class female life. Children of the Night is showing at Cast in Doncaster until 14 February, with a tour continuing until 4 April.
