AND DID THOSE FEET. To 20 October.
Bolton
AND DID THOSE FEET
by Les Smith and Martin Thomasson.
Octagon Theatre To 20 October 2007.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm.
BSL Signed 18 Oct.
Runs 2hr 5min One interval.
TICKETS: 01204 520661.
www.octagonbolton.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 13 October.
Such a good tale.
This jointly-authored play has a good place in the Octagon’s 40th anniversary season. It’s an honest, involving story of local people (look at the characters’ names, not likely to be found out of the servants’ quarters in 20’s West End drama), a kind popular in the Octagon’s early days. It’s surprising something like it wasn’t around in 1973 as half-century celebration of Bolton Wanderers’ initial FA Cup victory, at the first final played in the then-new (now former) twin-towered Wembley Stadium.
Which is why bride-to-be Martha asks her intended Ted what Wembley is when he includes it among the London sights for the honeymoon he believes will coincide with the Final.
Their story runs alongside brief accounts of Wanderers’ victory in Cup matches, each round presented by different means. It’s only a pity the 3rd Round silent-film scene isn’t made bigger-scale on the terraced rear-stage of Richard Foxton’s otherwise bare stage.
So far, so humorous. But there’s a serious side to events in the unemployment-ridden 1920s. Ted’s brother Jim, a socialist activist, loses the securest job in Bolton. Not exactly for his politics; but once jobless he’s blacklisted round the region, finding work only with local newsagent (and Wanderers fan) Bob, who walks his way to Wembley.
The final element’s the most recalcitrant: it concerns Billy, promising Bolton footballer killed in the Great War. His ghost walks the stage, threatening both the sentimental and the sententious as his father struggles with grief.
But director Mark Babych skirts the problem, and imbues proceedings with an energy celebrating these people, from the opening choric dance (a touch of the Dancing at Lughnasas there, and in Conrad Nelson’s clog choreography, of the Northern Broadsides too).
So when Wanderers win and the team-members’ photos are projected in turn, with the cast looking up in tribute, culminating in striker David Jack’s action-shot, and the dead Billy holds the Cup aloft, the feeling of victory and community solidarity comes across mighty strong, helped by a good cast. Including Jeff Hordley, who brings humour and reserved feeling to Ted, torn like so many, between Wanderers and wife.
Bob: Martin Barrass.
Billy: Chris Finch.
Ted: Jeff Hordley.
Alf: James Quinn.
Jim: Paul Simpson.
Martha: Hayley Jayne Standing.
Hilda: Susan Twist.
Director: Mark Babych.
Designer: Richard Foxton.
Lighting: Jason Osterman.
Sound: Andy Smith.
Composer: Arun Ghosh.
Choreographer: Conrad Nelson.
Dramaturg: Max Roberts.
2007-10-15 13:17:49