The Red Lion at The Dorfman

No, The Red Lion isn’t about a pub.  It is in fact Patrick Marber’s new play (his first original offering at The National since 2001) concerning a non-league, semi professional football team.  Not that it’s wholly about the sport, focusing as it does on loyalty, belonging and loneliness.  However, it’s obvious from the start that this great playwright has an undeniable love for “the beautiful game” imbuing the piece with a great deal of knowledge and passion. I’m thrilled that Patrick Marber has emerged from his writer’s block and this new play is chock-a-block full of his usual utterly believable dialogue.  

The play is set in the club’s changing room, designed to perfection by Anthony Ward.  There are only three characters, Kidd, the Club’s wheeler dealer, ambitious Manager (the brilliant Daniel Mays), Yates, the loyal kitman (Peter Wight) and Jordan, an up and coming player with obvious flair (Calvin Demba).  Kidd is over excited at the prospect of a new brilliant member of the team, Yates tries to take the new boy under his wing, whilst the boy in question has a dubious background and health issues.  What emerges during the evening is that even small football clubs have the spectre of money hanging over them that corrupts and ultimately causes grief.  There may be lots of football jargon that goes totally over a non-football fan’s head, but what is obvious is that this is a human tale encompassing humour, pathos and ultimately tragedy.  It really is all in the dialogue and, as with the best comedy, there is sadness and plenty of surprises, not all of them pleasant ones.

Daniel Mays never puts a foot wrong in anything he does and on stage here at The Dorfman is no exception.  He oozes nervous, manic energy, perfectly encapsulating a man desperate for his club to reach the bigger heights.  Peter Wight is equally impressive as the old retainer who has given his life for the club and is less concerned about the financial aspect.  Under the surface however he is a depressive soul, somewhat disenchanted with his lot.  Comparative newcomer, Calvin Demba, is no slouch either, imbuing his character with a mixture of shyness and bravado.  He makes it easy for us to believe he is a force to be reckoned with on the pitch.  Add, the brilliance of Director Ian Rickson, and The Red Lion is worth the price of a ticket even if watching a game of football is the last item on your bucket list.

Patrick Marber is back ….. and how!!