16th August 2025
Wind In The Willows, Toad In A Hole
Barton Players, Barton Village Hall
Jumpers for Goalposts
Author: Pam White
Information
- Date
- 18th March 2016
- Society
- Gallery Players
- Venue
- Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich
- Type of Production
- Play
- Director
- Steve Wooldridge
A romantic comedy set in the world of gay and lesbian five a side football team. The play was exploring loss love and friendship delivering a serious point at the same time. An incompetent football side is blissfully funny and at times deeply affecting emotional too.
The play takes place in a municipal football changing room hall on six subsequent Sundays post match. The five members of the team are discussing a previous match and a strategy for winning the league whilst nursing the wounds to both their bodies and their pride.
The team “Barely Athletic” are in LGBT five a side football league. Viv (Sam Horsfield) committed and loyal character is busy lecturing the team about team spirit, whilst not dealing with her own emotions. Whether the team can avoid being bottom of a four-strong league, she is busy urging the lads into achieving a prized third place.
Joe (Roger Jackaman) a middle-aged unfit northerner who is trying to deal with the loss of his beloved wife whilst dealing with his own grief. He also acts as a father figure to the young lads in the team whilst being the team’s token straight guy.
Luke (Dan Moore) a quirky sometimes nervous character who is a shy librarian and Danny (Tom Mayhew) are trying to deny their relationship and show commitment to the team. The dialogue has some sharp one-liners and the developing relationship between Luke and Danny is depicted with a mixture of awkwardness and tenderness.
Beardy Geoff (Liam Gregory) a busker who dreams of fame on the main stage, who is hung up that he can never take off his knitted hat, yet at the same time a very caring guy who has been through a lot and desperately trying to move forward. He is also trying to show the team there are people who love them and to give them hope.
The play is genuinely uplifting and funny as the five players try to make sense of their lives in the face of loss and fear and at times very emotional too, So well performed, a most enjoyable evening, and overlooking some bad language at times.
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