Two Brothers & One World Cup

Underbelly
5-29 August

Two brothers tell the story of their tempestuous relationship over the course of eight world cups, from Spain 1982 to the recent England capitulation in South Africa.

The audience choose the order in which the story is told. On the day I was in, USA ’94 was first out the blocks, to groans all round.

The action in complemented by a medley of England world cup anthems, from New Order to Nessun Dorma, as Rochdale lads Mickey and Jimmy recount the personal events surrounding the tournaments, from falling in canals to uncovering affairs.

The show has a very old-fashioned feel to it, and is unlikely to satisfy those in search of edge and originality. However, it’s a perfectly pleasant way to pass an hour, and is delivered with great warmth by Ian Curley and writer Zach Lee.