Rough Diamond Press Release

Chris England can write one type of play but he does it brilliantly. A group of friends together gather to watch a great sporting event on TV, and the on-pitch drama causes animosity, conflict and eventually violence. The format is endlessly adaptable. In 1990, he wrote a play about the world cup, An Evening with Gary Lineker, which ran for ages in the West End and, after a quick rewrite, toured Australia as An Evening with Merv Hughes. His new play is set during the 2003 rugby world cup.

A group of die-hard supporters meet at their local club to watch the final between England and Australia. But not everyone is happy. The manager faces re-election and there are rumours that a wicked property developer plans to buy up the ground. The transitions between intrigue and broad comedy are superbly handled and, though the play has a highly complex structure, Chris England is skilful enough to keep all his devices hidden.

The cast is outstanding. Abi Tucker dazzles as the louche, twinkling Lena, who slips naked into the showers and accidentally seduces the wrong rugger-bugger. If you don't like sport, you'll identify with the cynic, Exley (wonderfully played by the author), who shares the widely held view that rugby isn't a sport but a mass-brawl sporadically interrupted by the application of some arbitary and impenetrable rule. A big surprise s Norman Pace (remember him?) of Hale and Pace, the comedy duo whose most memorable feature was that no one knew which was which. Norman Pace (he's the one who isn't the other one, in case you were wondering) is at last relieved of the obligation to be funny and he turns out to be a charming and highly watchable straight actor. Best of all is Michael Beckley as Matt, the psychotic Aussie fan, who swaggers around the bar braying about England's countless sporting defeats. 'You shouldn't invent games if you can't play them.'

This wonderful comedy is the latest in an amazing string of successes for the Menier Chocolate Factory. The theatre world is a state bafflement. The Menier is run by a pair of long-haired young bikers who wouldn't look out of place at a Motorhead gig and yet they've discovered a secret that has eluded - and ruined - countless impresarios before them. How to run a small theatre and make money. If this show doesn't transfer to the West End, I'll walk down Oxford Street naked.

Lloyd Evans

20th May 2006

	The Spectator
News Features Articles Archive Info Biography Filmography Discography Gigs and Tours Gallery Heartbreak High The Secret Life of Us Miscellaneous Others Links Contact	Chris England can write one type of play but he does it brilliantly. A group of friends together gather to watch a great sporting event on TV, and the on-pitch drama causes animosity, conflict and eventually violence. The format is endlessly adaptable. In 1990, he wrote a play about the world cup, An Evening with Gary Lineker, which ran for ages in the West End and, after a quick rewrite, toured Australia as An Evening with Merv Hughes. His new play is set during the 2003 rugby world cup. A group of die-hard supporters meet at their local club to watch the final between England and Australia. But not everyone is happy. The manager faces re-election and there are rumours that a wicked property developer plans to buy up the ground. The transitions between intrigue and broad comedy are superbly handled and, though the play has a highly complex structure, Chris England is skilful enough to keep all his devices hidden. The cast is outstanding. Abi Tucker dazzles as the louche, twinkling Lena, who slips naked into the showers and accidentally seduces the wrong rugger-bugger. If you don't like sport, you'll identify with the cynic, Exley (wonderfully played by the author), who shares the widely held view that rugby isn't a sport but a mass-brawl sporadically interrupted by the application of some arbitary and impenetrable rule. A big surprise s Norman Pace (remember him?) of Hale and Pace, the comedy duo whose most memorable feature was that no one knew which was which. Norman Pace (he's the one who isn't the other one, in case you were wondering) is at last relieved of the obligation to be funny and he turns out to be a charming and highly watchable straight actor. Best of all is Michael Beckley as Matt, the psychotic Aussie fan, who swaggers around the bar braying about England's countless sporting defeats. 'You shouldn't invent games if you can't play them.' This wonderful comedy is the latest in an amazing string of successes for the Menier Chocolate Factory. The theatre world is a state bafflement. The Menier is run by a pair of long-haired young bikers who wouldn't look out of place at a Motorhead gig and yet they've discovered a secret that has eluded - and ruined - countless impresarios before them. How to run a small theatre and make money. If this show doesn't transfer to the West End, I'll walk down Oxford Street naked. Lloyd Evans 20th May 2006