The Pitch

The Pitch uses Gaelic football to explore the Irish divide, setting friendship across social and sexual boundaries against the shadow of a future United Ireland referendum. The strongest idea in the play is that the game itself and a discovery of a shared tradition becoming a language for reunification.

That idea is made clear: the setting of the Gaelic football, and its gradual evolution through the graffiti on the backdrop give the metaphor something tangible to work with. The teaching and sharing of the game becomes a particularly effective way of exploring connection. The chemistry between the actors is excellent, although the show suffers from overacting in places.

A few of the plays for laughs drag the piece down slightly, but not enough to overwrite the central, touching story, through which fresh and interesting ideas run.

Through divisions founded on family, sexuality, and Tato crisp packets, the play explores separation in its diverse forms around a strong central metaphor and told with genuine warmth.

The Pitch by Moya Jane Productions, Lyric Belfast and Pleasance.