Up ‘n’ Under by John Godber

Written and directed by John Godber

We are in the world of vaudeville. The end of the pier, the vulgar, the smutty where the repeated mention of ‘arses, bollocks and twats’ reduces the audience to helpless laughter. It is also hilarious.

Abandon all preconceptions and enter the raucous world of amateur rugby league. People your play with every Northern stereotype you can imagine, mix with ‘Rockies 1/2/3/4/5’ add a dash of ‘Chariots of Fire’ and you have the core ingredients. Flavour with some typical rugby songs, a dash of Tina Turner and a smidgeon of homegrown ‘We are the Champions’ and the tried and tested ‘Godber’ method cooks contentedly for a couple of hours.

A totally hysterical night at the Lowry in the Quays Theatre which offers the perfect setting for such high jinks. This play is totally unsuitable for anyone who does not like to laugh. It is saucy postcard stuff; A picture of an England which has now all but disappeared. Laughter is the name of this game and by the bucket load.

An assured cast perform this vulgarian masterpiece with great aplomb. . It is difficult to imagine what audiences 50 years from now will make of 1980s Yorkshire . Rush to see it. It will lighten the labours of your week.

Richard Burbage

The Lowry until Saturday 15th October
Box Office 0870 111 2000
www.thelowry.com