FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME a play performed by Chorley Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society on Friday, 19th October, 2018 at Chorley Little Theatre.
Written by Local Playwright Terry Wynn and Directed by Steve Unsworth, this play, was based on true life events during a period from 1980 to 1995; events that not only affected those playing the ‘game of rugby’, but supporters and families!  The script is based on a book written by David Hinchcliffe MP called ‘Rugby Class War’ which tells the official story of the historical battle between the two codes of rugby ‘rugby union and rugby league’ and the challenges that were met and confronted head on! Much of the dialogue in the scenes in the Houses of Parliament is verbatim from ‘Hansard’ (The Official Report on all Parliamentary Debates) 
So, having read the above, you would immediately think that this play is all about rugby; you would be wrong!  The play also follows the fight by a small group of church-goers to save their church building!  Both strands of this play focus on very similar issues; ‘community’, ‘social injustice’, class, discrimination and how ‘issues that matter’ can and do bring people together!  An uplifting play, laced with Northern wit and an inspirational story for everyone!
The scenes from this play are set in Wigan, the Houses of Parliament, a church and a rugby dressing room.
Jack Vardy plays Jason the central character in this play, a part that he played well. Jason loves to play rugby and he becomes a talented player.  Whilst playing for a Rugby Union Team in Yorkshire, he is asked by a friend of his deceased father to play a ‘one off’ game of Rugby League for a team in Blackpool which he knows is wrong, but he does anyway!  The results are devastating!  He finds himself barred from ever playing rugby union again thanks to some antiquated rules. In an attempt to reverse this decision, with the help of others, he takes his battle to the ‘corridors of powers’! 
Jason has two rugby union friends; George and Simon. George, the more vocal of the three shall we say, played by Robert Walsh was excellent in this role!  I could just imagine him, every Saturday, stood in the centre of the changing rooms singing his little heart out! Well done Robert.  Simon played by Jacob McAllister, the shy, timid new guy, a part that he played very well.  Both are supportive of Jason, but are unable to help him change what has happened. 
The person who ‘whistle blows’ on Jason is the coach of the Yorkshire Rugby Union Team played by Joe Mills. Joe takes two character parts in this play; the second is that of Member of Parliament for Wigan Roger Stott MP.  Roger is the leading figure in Jason’s fight against the Rugby Establishment. An interesting ‘theatrical fact’, Joe is actually the son of Roger Scott MP. (Roger sadly passed away in 1999 aged 56).  Joe was excellent in both roles; 
as the coach he came across as passionate, ruthless and forceful and as the M.P. he was compassionate with many trait’s, mannerisms and facial expressions that I presume he’d noted from his father. His performance in the role of MP was excellent ... and I’m sure his father would have been proud of the portrayal!
In the church side of the play we find Lucy Holden and Shaz Holstead playing the parts of Doreen and Vera respectfully; two strong Northern women fighting to save their church. 
Both are keen ‘Wigan Rugby’ followers as well as regular ‘church goers’; Doreen is also 
the mother of Jason the rugby player.  These two ladies were excellent in their respective roles...the speech that Doreen delivered in the Houses of Parliament scene was passionate, emotional and heart felt...well done Lucy.  
The part of the Church organist Kathleen was played by Amber Tabiner who portrayed the role very well. She was the polar opposite of Doreen and Vera not only on her views about church life and politics, but also about rugby; as a St Helens supporter; you can’t get more ‘opposite’ than that, if you support Wigan! 
Mathew Wilson had the unenviable task of trying to keep the peace between the different factions playing Simon, ‘The Vicar’....’nothing new there’ if you’re a Vicar!  Mathew was very convincing in this role which he played well.
However, the star of the show for me was Steven Catterall.  Steven also undertook two character roles, one as ‘Peter’ the Church Caretaker; the second as the Rugby Union Representative during the Houses of Parliament enquiry.  Although he played both roles superbly well, it was his portrayal of ‘Peter – the Church Caretaker’ that stole the show for me.  His comedy timing was excellent, facial expressions and mannerisms outstanding, I just wanted to laugh whenever those ‘brown overalls’ appeared....congratulations Steven on a first class performance!
To complete the cast were Andrew Germ Lomax who took the part of Gerald Kaufman MP who led the Houses of Parliament Enquiry and Rebecca Moran who took the part of Miss McGovern, an Inland Revenue Officer who gave evidence at the enquiry.  Although small parts, both were played well.
Congratulations to Steve Unsworth (Director), Barry Callender (Producer), Amy Hardcastle (Musical Director) for their interpretation of this story and for creating a wonderful, thought provoking piece of witty drama. 
Congratulations to Ali Vardy and Rebecca Moran (Stage Mangers) and their Backstage Crew.  Although the set was minimal, there were many scene changes to be navigated ... they dealt with everything thrown at them with speed and precision well done folks. The music that ‘covered’ the scene changes was well chosen and made the changes less ‘noticeable’. 
Costumes were well thought out and in keeping with the period. Sound and lights were excellent.  
This was my first visit to Chorley Little Theatre and my first sight of ‘CADOS’ in action and I hope it won’t be my last. Thank you so much for inviting us we thoroughly enjoyed our evening and we hope to see you again soon. Once again well done to all involved.

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