THEATRE 
REVIEWS
Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads
Theatre Royal York
York
ENGLAND
Uniforms
The first thing you notice is that the music is too loud and you wonder what number Sandy Nuttgens had his machine set at. After you collected your mind from wherever it had been sent the foul language hits you. Then you were on your way with the story that this play by Roy Williams was presenting to you, about his view of British football and how it interacts with the race scene.
We are in a public house, designed by Emma Donovan, where the landlady Gina (Sally Orrock) has provided a television screen for her regulars to view the last England versus Germany game at the old Wembley Stadium; time or venue are immaterial. Presumably the writer expected his incidents to happen whenever. The regulars are a mixed bunch who all think that they are unbiased, but by the end find that they all biased, some less so and others more so, despite some wanting to do the right thing. Marcus Romer gets everyone in the right place at the right time as he directs.
Deka Walmsley and Mark Monero confront
Alan (Deka Walmsley) and Mark (Mark Monero) have some interesting things to say in their speeches, but non of it gets through to the others who are gathered to view the match, and an inevitable conclusion is the result, despite the younger members not wanting to be pulled along by the banter and clan allegiances. It all adds up to what uniform do you wear, whether it is a shirt or your skin.
The play has some interesting things to relate and it will keep any audience quiet as it did this one. You will have to see the play and see if you learn anything from it, and if you do, will it change your attitude to who you support? © BA
“Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads ” is at York from the 23rd September to the 7th October, 2006 and then touring. This is a No Smoking theatre. Council car parking charge £2 visitor and £1 resident from 6pm until Midnight.
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