Fringe Review: THE PITCH, Baby Grand at Pleasance Courtyard

Photo credit: Kinga Anna Dulka

It’s East Belfast and things seem to be changing for teenagers Robbie (James Grimm), Deren (Jake Douglas) and Melissa (Dión Di Maio). There’s a referendum for a united Ireland, there are marches with increasing frequency, and most importantly, the local pitch is being taken over. The pitch has always been a football one, but now with Gaelic football starting to encroach onto the grass, things are getting heated. A rollicking hour of razor-sharp wit and wholehearted writing makes for an astounding performance of The Pitch by Philip Catherwood.

Deren plays Gaelic football and Robbie plays football. Their fathers have strong opinions on the referendum that bleed through into their sons whereby sport becomes a place to actualise these ideas. Deren and Robbie meet with delectable symmetry. The same trainers, the same Tesco bag, the same casual trying-really-hard-not-to-try-too-hard in front of another boy their own age - acting cool. But when they realise their differences, the air changes, the atmosphere tightens, a different style of ball is suddenly the only thing that counts. 

The writing is dynamic and pacy, it hurtles through Baby Grand at the Pleasance and drips in charm and wit. Melissa, Robbie’s younger sister, is a force of nature. She bounds onto the stage with palpable energy, a ball of gossip, chatter and frivolity, to smooth over the cloud descending over the other two. All three actors are magnificent in their roles, bouncing off one another with easy chemistry and flair making the performance a true delight to watch.

The Pitch does several things very well, and one of them is a coming-of-age story. It gives a voice to all the life changing choices you are required to make at 16 and 18 and the pressure that ensues. It highlights sexuality and relationships in an offbeat, unconventional way. The portrayal of teenage charisma and spirit endures throughout the show alongside the bigger picture of politics in Northern Ireland and how that can manifest locally as well as nationally. 

An intelligent commentary of Northern Irish politics and the resonance of the Troubles, The Pitch is a hopeful, magnetic production. Furiously entertaining and wickedly fast, The Pitch might just be the kickabout you didn’t know you needed this Fringe.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Hannah Goldswain

The Pitch plays at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until 31 Aug, with further info here.