Simon Ward reviews Two Cities…Half the World Away at the Old Red Lion Theatre

Nicky Allt is a Liverpool-born playwright who has written often about the cultural and sociological significance of football. This hilarious and heart-warming play is no exception. Directed by Callum O’Brien it places two diehard fans – Scouser Liam (Joseph Stanley) and Manc Terry (Ché Tligui) – into the same police station holding cell. They are fans of two of the most bitterly opposed teams, Liverpool and Manchester United. Waylaid en route to the game, they both have fines to pay but no money to pay them.

The year is 2016, Theresa May is Prime Minister and there is everything to play for. Custody Sergeant Frank (Neil MacDonald) has seen it all before, and has no time for their bickering. He does, however, put the match on his TV for them. If they press tightly up to the door grill and concentrate hard they can just about make out the state of play. The piece plays out over the ninety minutes of the match. As it ebbs and flows the pair move beyond their initial outright hostility and begin to talk. Gritty Northern humour thoroughly to the fore, no avenue to belittle the other is left unexplored. But gradually the banter and name-calling recedes and eventually gives way to a more genuine conversation.

Meanwhile Frank has his own worries, of far greater import than a football match. As he anxiously waits for news, it acts as a counterpoint to the fans’ rivalry and reminds us that football, even at its most exhilarating or infuriating, is still only a game.

The excellent soundtrack wittily alternates between Manchester and Liverpool bands – for example, a blast of How Soon Is Now by The Smiths is soon followed up with Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s version of Ferry Cross The Mersey – and sets the scene for the two men to boast about their respective cities, to great comic effect. The Oasis track Half the World Away, a B-side made famous as the theme tune to the TV seriesThe Royle Family forms a kind of backbone for the whole play. Liverpool and Manchester are two neighbouring cities with much in common, but perceived as worlds apart by their fans. Yet the wistful lyrics could be sung in either place with equal validity.

There are really only two ways that this scenario could playout – either as a full-on bloodbath, only stopped by the Sergeant’s intervention, or with an increasing rapprochement and a grudging move towards mutual understanding. As their conversation develops, it becomes clear that it will be the latter. There are just too many similarities in their upbringing and general outlook for them not to realise how much common ground they share. There is even a taboo-busting possibility that they might swap their replica shirts to seal their new-found bonds.

This is a joy from start to finish, from the intriguing setup to the gloriously joyous and hope-filled climax. As exhilarating a rollercoaster ride as you could wish for.

Two Cities…Half the World Away at the Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 John St, London EC1V 4NJ until Saturday 21st November