It was a game of two halves with both the cast and audience giving 110% in this family-friendly show about a little girl’s love of the beautiful game.
We met young Freddie Farren in her backyard practicing her football skills. When she finds an old biscuit box with some very old memorabilia, we discover that her great-great-great uncle played for Town, the team she supports. Spending a magical day with uncle Fred gives her the courage to ask to join in her first game on the local park.
The devise of having a commentator, a very versatile Richard Kay, worked well making sure the young audience kept up with the action whilst giving the adults some laughs.
There was plenty of opportunities for the audience to get involved with singing, cheering and actions, as we played the part of the football crowd. Everyone joined in with gusto.
The staging, recreating Freddie’s back yard was simple and compact as befits a show touring community venues of various shapes and sizes.
Accessibilit is an increasingly important part of Playhouse productions and as BSL signers traditionally wear black, ours was obviously dressed as a referee and was a reassuring, but unobtrusive presence on stage.
Football Freddie is at Leeds Playhouse until Saturday (3 June 2023) and then on a tour of community venues across Leeds, with tickets costing just £3, including:
Monday 5 June, 6pm, Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck, LS11 9RQ
Wednesday 14 June, 6pm, Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston, LS11 6RD
Saturday 17 June, 4pm, Middleton Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road, LS10 3SP
Book tickets at leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/football-freddie-community-tour
Photo: Richard Kay (Jeff the Commentator) and Rhiannon Canoville-Ord (Freddie) in Football Freddie (David Lindsay)
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