Details

BELFAST, 1969. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton's new musical is the story of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation. As the sixties draw to a close, life is just beginning for a group of teenagers. Amongst them are Father O'Donnel's football team including Del and John who both have enough talent to make it big. Their girlfriends, Mary and Christine are dreaming about what to do with their lives and worrying about the way their world is changing. Yearning for a time when they can live and love in peace, they all learn that to escape from bigotry and intolerance will take all the courage they can muster. Winner of Critics' Circle Award 2000 for Best Musical. The Beautiful Game website.

Cast/Performers

Jamie Golding (Daniel), Michael Shaeffer (Thomas), Alex Sharpe (Bernadette), Hannah Waddingham (Christine), Josie Walker (Mary), Jenna Boyd, Shonagh Daly, Ben Heathcote, Michele Hooper, Simon Humphrey, David Lyons, Grant Murphy, Diane Pilkington, Greta Rochford, Andrew Spillet, Alessandro Splendore, Paul Tarling, Frank Grimes (Father O'Donnell), Dale Meeds (Ginger), David Shannon (John), Ben Goddard (Del), Jonathan Ball, Michael Bernardin, Keith Bookman, Sally Bourne, James Bowden, Kevin Cregan, Nic Greenshields, Mark Hilton, Christopher Key, Kelly O'Leary, Hannah Tollman

Creatives/Company

Book by: Ben Elton
Lyrics: Ben Elton
Music(s): Andrew Lloyd Webber, Andrew Lloyd Webber (orchestration), David Cullen (orchestration)
Director(s): Robert Carsen, Kennedy Aitchison (music)
Choreographer: Meryl Tankard
Design: Michael Levine
Lighting: Jean Kalman
Costume: Joan Bergin
Sound: Martin Levan
Producer: The Really Useful Company

The Beautiful Game

The Beautiful Game (Musical) production archive for QTIX code T1112837038. Details of all The Beautiful Game archived productions can be found under the QTIX code: S335655298

Archive Listings

5 Sep 00
to
1 Sep 01

Cambridge Theatre
West End, Greater London
Performance Details => Venue archive

Reviews

Supanet: 08Aug01:
It's rare that a musical tackles such a serious and controversial issue, and its a refreshing change. The voices are fantastic and Ben Eltons's score extremely sharp and incisive. The other terrific aspect of the production is the on-stage evolution of the leading character's personalities. Well written and composed, superby sung and acted, and wonderful choreography, make this a must see.

Travelocity: 20Jun01:
The worst I've ever seen I left in the interval

: 11Jan01:
Trivial lyrics in an unconvincing show

Evening Standard: 11Jan01:
Ben Elton tells the story with humour and compassion and his lyrics are both funny and heartbreaking. Andrew Lloyd Webber's evocative new score combines heart searing ballads and stirring anthems with the sounds of Ireland. This powerful and passionate musical is a joyous celebration of the freedom that love can bring.

runfold house: 11Jan01:
has a really nice song!

Independent: 11Jan01:
text review

Sunday Times: 11Jan01:
This is Andrew Lloyd Webber's best musical. It has a real life-or-death subject: the beginning of the Troubles in Ulster, and how they blighted the lives of a generation of football-playing youngsters. [Ben Elton]'s book and lyrics have a bitter edge and a biting humour.

: 11Jan01:
Very moving piece with beautiful music and excellent performers. It must be seen!!!

User Reviews

USER: Supanet (08Aug01): It's rare that a musical tackles such a serious and controversial issue, and its a refreshing change. The voices are fantastic and Ben Eltons's score extremely sharp and incisive. The other terrific aspect of the production is the on-stage evolution of the leading character's personalities. Well written and composed, superby sung and acted, and wonderful choreography, make this a must see.

USER: Travelocity (20Jun01): The worst I've ever seen I left in the interval

USER (11Jan01): Trivial lyrics in an unconvincing show

Evening Standard (11Jan01): Ben Elton tells the story with humour and compassion and his lyrics are both funny and heartbreaking. Andrew Lloyd Webber's evocative new score combines heart searing ballads and stirring anthems with the sounds of Ireland. This powerful and passionate musical is a joyous celebration of the freedom that love can bring.

runfold house (11Jan01): has a really nice song!

Independent (11Jan01): text review

Sunday Times (11Jan01): This is Andrew Lloyd Webber's best musical. It has a real life-or-death subject: the beginning of the Troubles in Ulster, and how they blighted the lives of a generation of football-playing youngsters. [Ben Elton]'s book and lyrics have a bitter edge and a biting humour.

USER (11Jan01): Very moving piece with beautiful music and excellent performers. It must be seen!!!

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CORONAVIRUS: All venues in the UK were shut down on March 16, 2020, and the restrictions were finally lifted on July 19, 2021. It is important to mention that the UK Theatre Web archive listings (iUKTDb) from March 2020 to July 2021 might not be accurate due to the lack of information regarding rescheduled and cancelled shows.