Preview: The Red Lion, Bristol Old Vic

Patrick Marber’s (The Day Today, Alan Partridge, Closer) 2015 play is set in the unglamorous, but passionate world of semi-professional football.

In a world removed from the wealth and television cameras, a non-league team are struggling to make ends meet.So, when a gifted young player arrives out of nowhere, it’s the opportunity everyone’s been waiting for.

For the kit man, Yates, this brilliant player will restore the declining fortunes of the whole team. But the ambitious manager, Kidd, is determined to make him his own…

Exploring issues of trust, loyalty and conflict across generations, Bristol Old Vic’s new production stars Bristol’s Joe Sims (Broadchurch) as Kidd, with actor, screenwriter and former Bristol City FC match-day announcer David Lloyd (Maid Marian and her Merry Men) as Yates and introducing Thomas McGee in his professional stage debut as Jordan. The production is directed by Ed Viney (Bristol Shakespeare Festival, Blue Brook Productions).

Here’s Thomas McGee to tell us more.

Tell us your story, Thomas, and how you came to this role.
I was told by a family friend that Joe Sims has appeared on the local news looking for a local young actor, so I applied for the role and was invited to audition. I felt like the connection I had in the room with both Joe and David was amazing and I gave it my all, which paid off as I was then offered the role of Jordan – an unbelievable feeling.

How does the whole non-league world come across in the story? How does it differ for players and coaching staff from life in the big leagues?
This play shows that semi-professional football has its highs and lows just like any other sport, but people also have lives and jobs outside of the game, which can prove difficult in certain situations where professionalism needs to have the upper hand.

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Players in semi-professional football are well looked after, as progression into the higher leagues is something that anyone would want as a player and manager – but a bad stint of results can be fatal for managers.

Non-league football differs massively from the big leagues as footballer are chasing their dreams, but risk not getting much financial gain. The difference is being able to pay the mortgage, really. Semi-professional football really plays on individuals’ courage and recklessness in order to survive in the game.

How recognisable do you think the world of the play will be, for any audiences who attend football matches (either league or non-league)?
The world of the play will be very recognisable for football fans. It has that sense of being there at your local ground on a Saturday or Sunday, and seeing what goes on behind the scenes. There’s also plenty of football lingo, so if you love the game this is a must-watch!

L-R: David Lloyd (Yates), Thomas McGee (Jordan) and Joe Sims (Kidd). Pics: Ben Robins

Can you tell us about the very different hopes and plans your manager and kit man have for you?
Kidd (played by Joe Sims) wants Jordan to progress into the big leagues as a footballer, which will bring the added bonus of financial gain for himself. Yates, the kit man, simply wants Jordan to leave behind the tough upbringing and life he’s had, and just to reach his full potential. As a result, the two of them have very different relationships with Jordan.

Football and theatre are two big passions for you.. you must feel you’ve fallen on your feet with this role?
One hundred per cent. It’s already an unbelievable feeling to be making my professional stage debut at Bristol Old Vic: but to then be performing a show all about football is unreal. These are two worlds I’ve grown up loving and still love to this day!

Are those two worlds as different as most people would believe?
I feel that the world of football and theatre have a lot of similarities. You have to be fully committed in everything that you do, whether that’s training and match days or rehearsing and then performing a show. You’re also learning new things every day from coaching staff and other players and the same in the acting world, taking every little thing you can that’s new for you from other actors or directors.

These worlds may seem so far apart, but actually they are very close in how they operate.

The Red Lion is at Bristol Old Vic from March 11-28. For more info and to book tickets, visit bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/red-lion

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