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| Cast | |
| Arthur Hoyle | Tony Donnelly |
| Phil Hopley | Dave Webster |
| Frank Rowley | Ian Saxton |
| Tony Burtoft | Bob Phillips |
| Steve Edwards | James Humphrey |
| Reg Walsh | David Hampton |
| Hazel Scott | Susan Coral Hampton |
| Crew | |
| Stage Manager | Alison Armit |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Janet Hampton |
| Deputy Stage Managers | Angela Hudson, Helen Carter |
| Lighting | Tim Hewitt |
| Sound | Alan Webster |
Review
True grit and grudge take on classical air
Rugby league isn't played much - if at all - in Bexleyheath, but this week there is a cracking match to be enjoyed. Forget floodlights, Eddie Wareing and scrum forwards built like the Pennines, the team on view is very much a makeshift affair and instead of competing on turf they are lined up on stage at the Edward Alderton Theatre, in the John Godber comedy Up 'n' Under.
In one of those ridiculous wagers prompted by male pride, Arthur, a former player of note, bets his house that he can train any team to beat the famous Cobblers Arms side in a sevens competition. But the team proposed is a bunch of no-hopers from the Wheatsheaf who never win and usually fail to muster a full side. With asides spoken in verse there is a classical air to this play which charts the team's progress from a group of boozing blokes to a well-trained outfit thirsty for success. It is a fairy story which leaves reality firmly behind as the team which files out for the grudge match includes in its number Hazel, the gym owner who has put them through hell on the way to making the kick off.
Like his later play On the Piste, Up 'n' Under displays great perception about male psychology and the humour is sometimes broad, sometimes subtle. Paul Jennings directs with understanding of what makes the play tick and a true team effort from the cast ensues that the piece progresses well to its big game climax. This contest is superbly choreographed with passing of the ball, tackles, solo charges down the pitch and the doubling up of the characters to represent each team - without anyone landing up in the lap of the front row of the audience.
Tony Donnelly lacks some grit in an otherwise stout performance as Arthur. His team of characters of assorted physique and personality is well detailed by Dave Webster, Ian Saxton, Bob Phillips and James Humphrey although the accents do tend to wander from south of Leeds to south of the Thames occasionally. Susan Coral Hampton has the right stamp of authority as Hazel and there is a nice, slimey cameo from Dave Hampton as the sheepskin-coated manager Reg Walsh who makes the wager.
Darryl McCarthy
Kentish Times | 13 May 1993
