UK Theatre Network

You Really Couldn’t Make It Up

Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne

FOLLOWING on from their recent success with ‘You Couldn’t Make It Up’, father and son writing partnership, Michael and Tom Chaplin once again attempt to shed some light over the events both on the pitch and behind the scenes at Newcastle United Football Club during the most dramatic and disastrous season in its history.

Spike, Julie, Les and Tino are four disillusioned season ticket-holders who are contemplating whether they should desert the Toon Army or not. It is their humorous banter and sardonic irony that forms the framework of this piece, whilst pivotal events that are believed to have taken place between Kevin Keegan, Mike Ashley and Alan Shearer are re-enacted, too.

The cast of four - Chris Connel,  Bill Fellows, Davie Nellist and Laura Norton – deliver impressive performances, as they play the four fans and the three most influential characters who have defined the last year in the life of the club: Ashley, Keegan and Shearer.

For my money, though, it was Chris Connel’s magnificent portrayal of Alan Shearer, the club’s latest messiah, that stole the show. Every gesture and mannerism was perfectly mimicked and the physical resemblance was also remarkable.

Although, primarily, the play is a piece of factual entertainment it is also a heartfelt and witty examination of the devotion of four fans who, in spite of everything, are able to ‘keep the faith.’

Steve Burbridge.

'You Really Couldn't Make It Up' runs at Live Theatre, Newcastle until Friday 10 July 2009.