Levels above its debut at the Bush Theatre last year, Red Pitch took to the West End with force. Football fan or not, this play appeals to the masses. It is a story about youth, about connection and about humanity and together, Tyrell Williams and Daniel Bailey have created one of the best plays of the century.

Tyrell Williams has written a masterpiece that is littered with truth, originality and heart. The story revolves around three young aspiring footballers and their journey to try and make it professional, and the trials and tribulations along the way. Friendships are tested in an intense one act story that makes you laugh, cry and everything in-between.

Childish playground rules appear as judicial regiments such as last to touch the ball gets it as Omz, Bilal and Joey meet on their sacred Red Pitch to discuss the gentrification of Ends, the pressure of the future and most importantly… play ball. Their story is truly human through and through from having to “trek to Camberwell” to get some Morley’s chicken, to lying to the boys about your escapades with women. From the outset there is nothing but truth on stage.

This is aided with the cast playing football while the audience take their seats and even get invited to come play. It is clever how the boy’s incision Red Pitch to have the same atmosphere and audience of Wembley and in Soho Place’s auditorium, their dreams become a reality.

The first thing I have to say on the play technically is that the movement is impeccable. This has significantly shifted since its opening at the Bush. There is a new movement sequence in the middle of the play as the boys are dancing at a party which got the entire audience on their feet. It is safe to say that Gabrielle Nimo is a marvel and has worked wonders with the cast. The way the boys interact with each other on the pitch, during matches and in solo sequences is faultless.

Next of course the cast themselves are something to behold. Each uniquely brilliant and hold space individually and collectively alike. Kedar Williams-Sterling, Emeka Sesay and Francis Lovehall are nothing short of pure brilliance.

Their connection, chemistry and sense of play are a joy to watch. It is the most truth I have seen among a cast in years. They are aggressively generous actors and give all of themselves to the play and to the story. If perfect casting were possible this would be the closest I have seen to it.

Daniel Bailey has created an epic with this play, his direction has taken what is already a brilliant script to the next level. None of this play feels rehearsed but of course for technical reasons is clearly so specific. The simple touch of having all boys double tap the railings of Red Pitch upon entry that they later choose to ignore when they fall out is an example of the little details that make this a masterpiece.

The lighting and sound design from Ali Hunter and Khalil Madovi work perfectly. Soho Place is most definitely the theatre for this show and they have used it to its full potential. The moments where the boys are imagining their future scoring goals and receiving great acclaim are among countless brilliant uses of lighting and sound that can only be explained by simply going to watch the play.

Overall, this is one of the best plays I’ve seen technically, visually and spiritually is recent years. It leaves you moved, touched, amused and above all else entertained. Highly Recommend!

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