Abi lives up to the hype

After the hype, her moment had finally arrived. As Abi Titmuss stepped into the spotlight there was one, rather shy, wolf-whistle from somewhere in the audience.

The presence of the former cover-girl in Up 'N' Under, John Godber's rugby league drama, couldn't help but attract attention.

As it happened, the ripple of expectation at Hull Truck was matched by her neatly assured performance. Besides which, the incessant, driving comedy of this drama – now in its 25th year – is enough to sweep anyone along, well-known or not.

The play is set around a sporting bet between two rivals – an all-conquering rugby league coach, Reg (Robert Angell), and a former player, Arthur (William Ilkley). The bet hinges on whether Arthur can take the worst pub team in the region, The Wheatsheaf Arms, and mould them into a force strong enough to beat Reg's crack outfit.

Given the Wheatsheaf's team consists of four disillusioned players – one of whom, Tony (James Crossley) harbours ambitions of being a stripper – the challenge seems all but overwhelming.

It's an engaging set-up with the players painfully getting themselves match-fit in the gym run by Hazel (Abi Titmuss).

For a couple of them – the world weary Phil (Robert Angell) and Frank (Eamonn Fleming) – age means it might be their final match. And for Steve (Lewis Linford), the question is more whether his youth and inexperience will be a telling factor.

In directing this latest production, John Godber creates a mythic feel. The players are introduced in silhouette, against an eerie musical track of pounding drums and blasts of dry ice.

It's a clever ploy as, right from the start, we see this ragged bunch as heroic.

There's a story John tells in the programme notes about attending a screening of Rocky in 1984.

Despite expecting to be underwhelmed by Sly Stallone's boxing drama, he instead found himself shouting out for Rocky with the rest of the audience.

It got the playwright – then about to start his new job at Hull Truck – thinking about the power of popular theatre.

Here, there's a similarly strong sense of identification with the characters as the drama relentlessly builds towards the match.

Simply staged, the few props include a couple of benches and – magically – a pool table which rises up from the stage-floor, the emphasis is on the physical performance of the actors.

It's to their credit they convincingly lead us into this bruising world which, despite the knocks, has more than enough room for comedy.

*Up 'N' Under is on at Hull Truck Theatre, Ferensway, Hull, until Saturday, October 31, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £9-£18. Call: (01482) 323638