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Review by Paul Nelson |
NICK Perry's amazing allegory on violence, Arrivederci Millwall, is
given an amazing and unmissable production at the Union Theatre in
Southwark.
In an extensive programme note, director Graham Elwell charts the origins
of Millwall FC and its history of violence, right up to the incidents of about
a month or so ago, and this insight into a living club makes a fascinating
background to the play.
Realising that this year was World Cup year and the twentieth anniversary
of the Falklands War, Elwell decided that a revival of the play could never
be more topical and the result is the brilliant evening you see at the Union.
Believe me, brilliant it is. I haven't stopped talking about it or recommending
it to my entire acquaintance since I saw it.
A group of Millwall fans dedicated to their club and never being beaten, frankly
adopt the idea that if the match of the day is lost, the succeeding battle
between the opposing fans certainly will not be.
One of the lads, Billy, becomes narrator and takes us on a guided tour of
the collective soul of the Millwall fan. Unbeaten, unbowed, even if bloody,
their war is waged against opposition from whatever its source, be it opposing
spectators or the police. All this is detached, almost an indifference, to
any kind of morality. If there is a head, crack it, a bone, break it - anything
to get the rush and appease the rising violence felt toward anyone who is
in opposition.
When Billy's brother Bobby, a seaman, is involved in the Falklands War and
is subsequently killed, Billy is lost, faced with real personal pain for the
first time. Moved by feelings he does not understand he lashes out against
his own, even his best friend, and cursing fate and everyone he finds his
life inexplicably unbearable. Matters are complicated by the wife of his brother,
who has given birth to Bobby's posthumous son, and added into the equation
is their welfare.
Nonetheless, football is still the paramount consideration and all the frustration
and intolerance is channelled into fervent nationalism on the football field.
Millwall becomes England, something to fight for, and along with the rest
of his generation, forcibly made idle, reckless in the extreme, Billy transfers
his unbearable rage and grief along to the World Cup game in Spain.
This play is, as you will have gathered, extremely powerful. It embraces its
themes with allegory. In a sequence that is almost a cavalcade of nationalistic
fervour the author brings this crucible of boiling and sometimes conflicting
passions to a head and the result is an evening of impetuous destruction of
property and relationships hand in hand with acceptable boisterousness.
It is a heady turmoil of comedy and the ebullition of misplaced jingoism.
Ultimately, as the director and author are at pains to point out, fighting
and dying for God and country is as destructive, and as meaningless, as the
violence society disapproves of - fighting for your football team.
The
evening is intimidating, absorbing and entertaining.
Swept along with and creating this euphoric exuberance is a remarkable cast.
Led by George Russo as Billy they sweep all before them and the evening is
one of ceaseless movement, something at which to marvel.
Notable performances come from every member of the cast: Dez Drummond as Cass,
Billy's best friend; Ian Rixon as Terry, the meek, rash loser; Steve Gibbs
as a genuinely moving elder brother among the many parts he plays; Tyrone
Atkins as Kenno, all hidden danger and bonhomie; Grant Davis as Malcolm, the
guy who goes along with the crowd and the director himself as Harry Kellerway
the unsympathetic parasite.
Arrivederci Millwall presents an argument that is irresistible. It is with
certainty that I recommend it.
GUIDE TO PICTURES: Main picture shows: (left to right) Ian Rixon
(Terry); Grant Davies (Mal/Man from Leeds); George Rousso (Billy); Des Drummond
(Cass); Steve Gibbs (Bobby/Spanish Policeman)
Picture, above right, shows: (left to right) Steve Gibbs (Bobby/Spanish Policeman);
Ian Rixon (Terry)
Arrivederci Millwall, a drama by Nick Perry, Directed by Graham Elwell, Settings and lighting by Finnuala McNulty, WITH George Russo (Billy), Dez Drummond (Cass), Steve Gibbs (Bobby), Graham Elwell (Harry Kellerway), Tyrone Atkins (Kenno), Ian Rixon (Terry), Grant Davis (Malcolm). Presented by Sealand Road Theatre Productions at the Union Theatre, 204 Union Street, Southwark SE1. 020 7261 9876.
