Football play is first class comedy

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Photo: Laura Wild

Zach Lee from Newhey is taking his play to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this week

Two Brothers and One World Cup, written by Zach Lee from Newhey, was performed at the Soccer Village in Milnrow this evening (Monday 2 August 2010), to a very appreciative crowd.

Tonight’s show was one of two performances scheduled before the play takes to the big stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this week.

The play is a story of two brothers, played by Mr Lee and Manchester actor Ian Curley, set against the backdrop of World Cups from 1982 to 2010– however there are 720 different ways to tell the story, all of which include help from the audience.

The story is based on the life of two brothers, the ups and downs and the tears and the laughter which was cleverly mirrored with England’s World Cup history.

The brothers, Jimmy and Mickey make up an England footy song tribute act ‘The Vindaloo Brothers’ the story follows the pair on a series of ‘gigs’ along the way – however, Jimmy oversteps the line over the years more than once when it comes to his brother’s girlfriends and even his wife.

In World Cup year 2006 Jimmy leaves for Australia, leaving a heartbroken brother with no wife, no job and no home behind.

In 2010 Jimmy returns to a bitter family and bitter community, he has to work to build his family back which results in hidden truths coming out.

The story, however, has a happy ending as the Vindaloo Brothers reform and perform their self-penned song for another time.

The lyrics “A story of love. A story of pain. A tale of two brothers who’ll die for their team and the beautiful game,” sums up the play in one.

With just two actors playing the roles of Jimmy, Mickey, mum and dad and several girlfriends along the way the play requires some thought and imagination which is emphasised through props including wigs and bikinis.

The performance was truly moving, very entertaining and most of all realistic, honest and humorous.

You don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy this play it’s just as amusing for the football lover as it is the football hater.

The reviewer only has one thing left to say – “Watch out Edinburgh!”