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FACTS
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Up 'n' Under is at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough
until 8th October 2005.
Box office: 01723 370541
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MORE
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LINKS
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Stephen Joseph Theatre
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I'll freely admit that what I know about rugby could be written
on the back of a commemorative Ashes postage stamp with a marker
pen.
Fortunately for me, within the first five minutes it was described
as 'a game played by men with an odd-shaped ball' … now that
I can relate to!
Up 'n' Under was first written over twenty years ago. It's inspired
by the 'Rocky' films, and based on the author's experiences playing
rugby.
But I was pleased to find that John Godber had updated it, with
plenty of modern references (even I know who Johnny Wilkinson is).
The dialogue was pacy, witty, and contained the kind of language
you wouldn't really want your granny to hear.
But it was realistic - you'd expect a bunch of rugby players to
swear at each other, and it was used to great effect.
The cast were fantastic - there were only six of them, and in the
final scene they managed to re-enact an entire rugby game, playing
themselves and the opposition.
It was really physical theatre in places, and you believe every
move they make. Their comic timing was superb, and they had the
audience in stitches. Who would have thought that five men running
in slow motion could be so funny?!
But there is a serious side to the story … you might have
seen the film, but there's no Hollywood ending here. A losing, pub-league
rugby team chooses to stop losing, and they do.
It's just a matter of how they win … but they definitely do
win.
Jill Gubbins
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