Review: THE LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB, Sheffield Crucible
Photo credit: Johan Persson
The latest offering from Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre takes us back to the very early days of women’s football. A group of factory workers, who have taken up roles as the men have gone to fight in World War I, decide to start playing football in their breaks for fun. As managers get wind of this, despite initial concerns as in those days’ women playing football was very taboo, they begin to make it escalate as they play numerous teams across the country.
The Ladies Football Club asks some interesting questions. What happens when women come together to make their voices heard? What, then, happens when the men who are oppressing them take advantage of their comradery and determination for their own gain? Tim Firth’s adaptation of Stefano Massini’s dramatic verse play is full of humour, whilst still having plenty of heart, Northern grit and politics. Setting the story in Sheffield, the birthplace of football, is a perfect choice, making it really feel like it’s a play for the local audience. Firth’s group of characters also reflects wonderfully that Sheffield is a melting pot of people from all over the country – although perhaps focusing in on a few characters as our ‘leads’ would have beneficial, as we don’t really feel like we get to know many of the characters in great depth.
Elizabeth Newman directs the production – this is her second show as Artistic Director as Sheffield Theatres. Whilst the text doesn’t give us loads of detail on the backstories of our characters, she has led her company excellently in developing characters that are believable and natural, as well as incredibly varied. At times, some characters feel a little like their stereotypes and just have one personality trait, but seeing this group of very different women unite for their common good is incredibly joyous to watch. She is joined by Scott Graham (for Frantic Assembly) as Movement Director. He finds clever ways to depict the football matches. Whilst the movement may not be quite as impressive as Dear England’s recent depiction of football matches on stage, it still captures the joy that friendly football can bring. The infamous Frantic Assembly style, full of lifts and physical content between performers, emphasises the unity between this group of women perfectly.
Grace Smart’s set design is fairly minimal, with a couple of work benches and some stools. It essentially creates a blank canvas for Joe Ransom’s video design, alongside Ben Jacobs’ lighting design, to take us to various locations effectively. Whilst the set is fairly abstract, Smart’s costumes work well to ground the piece in reality and to create the sense that the women are united yet all different.
Casting director Juliet Horsley CDG has assembled a strong team of actors to bring this story to life. Cara Theobold as Violet is the closest thing we have to a leading lady, as we get some insight into her childhood and her future. She has the audience in the palm of her hands from her opening narration, driving the story forward throughout. Perhaps a slight shift in Jacobs’ lighting design to make clearer what is narration and what is conversation would have been effective. Theobold has a nice rapport with Jessica Baglow as Rosalyn, someone who she has grown up with. Baglow has a great stage presence from the off. We can see clearly how growing up with lots of brothers has rubbed off on Rosalyn.
Anne Odeke as Justine delivers impeccable comic timing consistently and Bettrys Jones as Olivia brings a bundle of joy and energy to the stage. Krupa Pattani is incredibly likeable as Cheryl and portrays her journey from hesitant from reluctant footballer to team captain excellently. Clair Norris takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions as Melanie as she slowly starts to let her walls down with new found friendship group.
The Ladies Football Club is a joyous production, combining witty dialogue with energetic movement. We look forward to seeing what else Elizabeth Newman has up her sleeve as she settles into her tenure as Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jacob Bush
The Ladies Football Club plays at Sheffield Crucible until 28 March, with further info here.