Breakfast with Jonny Wilkinson

Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre, London
Through July 2

LONDON -- Football with a round ball is the focus of attention right now but in 2003 all English eyes were on Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked England to Rugby Union World Cup victory. That historic feat's impact on a group of fans is the subject of Chris England's likeable play "Breakfast with Jonny Wilkinson" now playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre and headed to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The setting is a small rugby club where chairman Dave (Norman Pace) and his star player Jake (Kevin Wathen) are preparing for a morning booze-up as all the members flock in to watch the final between England and Australia being played Down Under. The problem is that the only ones to show up are a noisy Australian, Matt (Michael Beckley); the team captain Nigel (Tony Bell), whose wife is in labor at the hospital; and the women's team leader Nina (Beth Cordingly).

Dave has planned the morning event as part of his campaign for re-election as club chairman but it soon becomes apparent that someone has e-mailed all the members to say it has been cancelled. A nosy newspaperman, Exley (playwright Chris England) shows up looking for a color story about rugby fans watching their heroes and the into the mix comes the glamorous Lena (Abi Tucker), who sets her sights on the young Jake.

England quickly introduces conflict as both Matt and Nina begin to jockey for the club chairmanship while Dave has his own reasons for thinking twice about it. As the championship match begins on television, Jake disappears to the field outside the club bar to kick a ball. It appears that each time he kicks the ball through the uprights, so does the English star Wilkinson. It becomes increasingly important that he gets it right.

There are many outrageous lines as Matt roasts the English and Nigel finds ways to avoid going to the hospital to be with his pregnant wife, and as Lena puts the moves on the hunky young athlete. Exley's tape recorder also plays a central role as private conversations are revealed and motives become unraveled.

The play is plotted almost too heavily but it's funny and also moving when Dave's fears are disclosed, and the outcome provides a welcome counter-balance to the testosterone-fueled comedy. Director Jonathan Lewis devises plenty of movement in the small space allowed by the converted Chocolate Factory that houses the Menier Theatre, and he draws winning performances from his cast. It's their skill and collective good spirits that help make this particular breakfast such a pleasing concoction.

By Ray Bennett

June 14, 2006

BREAKFAST WITH JONNY WILKINSON
Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre

Credits:
Playwright: Chris England
Director: Jonathan Lewis
Set and costume designer: Anthony Lamble
Lighting designer: Tim Mascall
Sound designer: Gareth Owen for Orbital
Cast:
Jake: Kevin Wathen
Dave: Norman Pace
Exley: Chris England
Nina Beth Cordingly
Matt: Michael Beckley
Nigel: Tony Bell
Lena: Abi Tucker