Review: The English Game
Venue: The Lowry
Date Reviewed: 25th June, 2008
Writers such as David Storey and Roy Williams have used rugby and football to examine the state of the nation. Richard Bean focuses on cricket in his new play, The English Game.
It works well as the game does attract a wide group of people ranging from a war veteran to a rock star. However, even before the play starts, the audience is made aware that the standards of cricket might not be achieved in the match between the Nightwatchmen and their opponents from a rival team.
Anthony Lamble’s set consists of a somewhat shabby patch of grass which, although it has been cut, has rough edges. It also doubles as outdoor changing room, as the pavilion has been vandalised and its burnt out remains are visible.
The Team continue to enter the pitch via the pavilion as, Bean makes the point that they are adhering to the rules and traditions of cricket (and hence society) thus, highlighting the root causes of the vandals behaviour; a lack of order. Nevertheless, falling standards are creeping into the teams as well. Farringden are trying to dodge contributing to the costs of the match and Roy, (Fred Ridgeway) a substitute member, has racist and sexist views which the Team find unacceptable.
This is one of the few parts of the play that feel strained. Ridgeway, evokes both laughter and sympathy from the audience but his character is clearly used to make a point. There are several more fully realised characters to choose from though, thankfully. Will (an understated Robert East) has an outburst which demonstrates the ways in which even tolerant people have drifted towards right-wing views. Also, Howard Ward’s Theo is a combination of a broad–minded lay preacher and a GP with a spine of steel, which gives a terrific representation of standards of decency.
The play examines also the role of sport in society. Sean (Tony Bell), desperately clings to the rituals of the game to bring structure and colour to his muddled existance. Others, such as Clive (John Lightbody) are content to use the game as one of the ways in which it is acceptable for men to interact. Leaving aside its analytical aspects the play works very well as a straight comedy. Peter Bourke’s pedantic team captain is a hoot and there is excellent dialogue between a very fine cast although the constant jokes by aged rocker Thiz (Sean Murrray) are not as funny as the characters find them to be.
Sadly, women are absent from the play. An attempt is made to tackle the implicit sexism of the sport by emphasising that the Nightwatchmen make their own refreshments but the portrayal of women as resenting the time taken up by sport and planning weddings during the season does give an negative impression and supports the suggestion that men need to play games whereas women – such as Will’s wife who is involved in a protest – are able to tackle real-life events.
Such a large cast with over-lapping dialogue and the use of technical terms with which non-enthusiasts maybe unfamiliar seems potentially confusing for the audience.
But, thanks to Sean Holmes‘ skilful direction, he creates a realistic atmosphere, whereby he captures smaller moments, such as the characters changing clothes and performing warm-up exercises.
Surprisingly, this does not detract form the narrative, instead it helps to convince the audience that the cast are members of a team and so ensures the success of this very fine production.
-Dave Cunningham