This heartwarming and thoughtful piece really deserves its West End run.
There is more to life than football as the three teenagers at the heart of Tyrell Williams’ humorous and thought-provoking play find.
Set on Red Pitch, a place where Bilal, Joey and Omz spend a lot of their time playing football, sharing banter and their dreams to play football professionally with their hopes being pinned on the upcoming QPR trials. But on a deeper level Williams’ debut play looks at friendship and the gentrification of the trio’s area which threatens to ruin their happy existence.
While much of the conversation does evolve around who is the best footballer out of the three of them, what the script brilliantly and subtly does is highlight the individual issues that each of them have surrounding family pressure, insecurity and worry about what is coming next. They don’t directly refer to it in a deep, emotional way through subtle actions you can see how strong the bond is between them all. You don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy Red Pitch, as being a a teenager and trying to figure out what what to do with your lives is something that we have all experienced and the pressures that come with it.
Throughout it all, there is nothing overblown about it – not even in the well choreographed fist fight that releases a huge number of emotions to show just how far each of them have been pushed to the brink of their worry about the future. This is shown particularly well through the character of Omz (Francis Lovehall) who is struggling to keep his family together that really gives an additional emotional depth that will be relatable to many people. That is what is the key to success of the play: it is constantly relatable and well grounded.
Given that this is a play that is based around a football pitch, it is unsurprising that it is as physical as it is and the way in which the movement has been choreographed allows extra detail in showing just how close the three teenagers are. In particular, the moments in which they are waiting to find out if their trials have been successful shown through football practises is really cleverly done. However, I did feel that the sequences in which it seemed like they were in a football stadium at the height of their fame felt a little out of place and didn’t make much of an impact.
Following two successful runs at the Bush Theatre, Red Pitch actually fits perfectly into the @SohoPlace – by having it in the round, it means the audience can feel as close to the action as possible and maintaining the intimacy of the piece. Daniel Bailey’s production fizzes with energy and compassion, helped by Ali Hunter’s incredibly impressive lighting design that enhances some of the more poignant moments perfectly.
Bailey’s production also ensures that there is no distractions, while creating a warm atmosphere by bringing out the best in his cast who are all engaging to watch from start to finish. Each character is wonderfully distinctive and it is a joy to watch them to banter but also heartbreaking to watch as the friendship begins to fracture – that is the strength of the connection between all of the cast members and helps makes the story flow as naturally as possible.
Kedar Williams-Stirling, Emeka Sesay and Francis Lovehall bring joy and vulnerability in different ways that keep the audience thoroughly engaged and entertained throughout.
Overall, Red Pitch is a pleasure to watch and impressive debut from Tyrell Williams. The @SohoPlace have scored a winner by staging this play.
By Emma Clarendon
Red Pitch continues to play at the @SohoPlace until the 4th May. You can also purchase tickets from London Box Office.co.uk, London Theatre Direct and From the Box Office.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐