I, Daniel Blake Review

 This is based on a performance in March 2026 at Northern Stage Newcastle. I paid for these tickets myself. 

Last night I finally got to see I, Daniel Blake at Northen Stage.

I had watched the film so was familiar with the storyline. We took our seats in the theatre and I noticed the audience was a real mix of all ages from students up to pensioners.

The story focuses around Dan who suddenly finds himself stuck in the welfare system after suffering a heart attack. His doctor tells him he's not fit to work but DWP say otherwise. The standard form Dan has to complete doesn't even ask about heart conditions and there's no room for common sense or binary yes or no answers.

So his case has to go to appeal but there's no set time limit for how long this can take. In the meantime Dan is left with no money, has to sell his belongings to survive and we watch as he becomes a recluse and a shadow of his former self. The system is truly broken.

We also meet Katie & her daughter Daisy who have been sent to start a new life in Newcastle after living in hostels in London for the past few years. They're miles from their family support, receive sanctions on their benefits for issues that aren't their fault and Katie ends up turning to prositution to make ends meet and feed her daughter.

Dan strikes up a friendship with Katie and Daisy and helps to fix up their grim living conditions as best they can and shows them how to heat rooms with candles. This unlikely friendship is beautiful to watch and reminds you of the kindness most of us do have in our hearts, no matter what our circumstances.

And then there's Dylan, a young lad from the estate who is determined to escape the system and better his life with entrepreneurship being seen as his route out of poverty. He helps Dan when he needs to use a computer and although his scheme to make money may not be 100% legal, the audience is all rooting for him to do well.

My goodness this is one of those shared experiences that will stay with you forever. I've never ever sat in a theatre and heard so many audible sobs. Not a dry eye in the house. There are a few scenes that actually take your breath away and I am not usually one who is lost for words but I simply couldn't write this review straight after the performance as I usually would as I felt so numb.

The acting is incredible. You really feel the characters and their emotions. The actors do not shy away from really difficult scenes and are all in.

A strong 5* review from us. I think all teens and adults should watch this. It's something that will sit with you for a very long time.