League of feel-good fun

NOT a lot to cheer about for Barely Athletic, left to right: Graeme Hawley (standing), Luke Bailey, Adam Barlow, Will Mytum and Sally Carman

JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS

(Oldham Coliseum

to October 22)

WHILE you might normally run a mile from something described as LGBT comedy - politically correct as it probably is, and right-on in your worst nightmares, the truth is award-winning playwright Tom Wells' comedy is remarkably sane, down to earth and funny.

The 2013 comedy gives us Barely Athletic - a token straight, Joe, though he's depressed; and five gays - his sister in law Viv, young athlete Danny, far from athletic librarian Luke, and busker Geoff, who wears a beard and a ridiculous hat to cover his gay-bashed scars.

They are members of a Hull LGBT four-team league whom we meet, thankfully, only in the rather bare and soulless dressing room after (mostly lost) games.

They've all got emotional problems: token straight Joe (Graeme Hawley, wonderfully hangdog) is grieving the death of his wife; Viv, her sister and local pub landlord (a terrific turn from Sally Carman), is in the team because the lesbian side found her too bossy; athlete Danny (Luke Bailey) is anxious over his course, and fancies librarian Luke (Will Mytum), who's in the side because he's obviously lonely and shy and fancied Danny when the latter put the football poster up on the library notice board.

Beardy Geoff (Adam Barlow at his most likeable) is perhaps the most curious figure; rather more feeling and compassionate than he lets on, but not averse to copping-off with the opposing team captain either...

As a group they seem rather diverse, but Wells keeps the ebb and flow of conversation going and interesting as we see the relationships develop between the team members despite, or perhaps because, they're generally so rotten on the pitch.

This isn't Up and Under for the LGBT class; the team doesn't enjoy victory on the pitch but there are smaller victories as the five realise their relationships are, on the whole, things to feel good about.

The show is directed by Coliseum associate director Chris Lawson, whose first show in charge on the main stage this is.

The boy, if you'll pardon the cliche, done good: the cast is well drilled and the dialogue fast and funny when it has to be, more reflective when appropriate.

The show doesn't really go anywhere or reveal anything, but it's a pleasant meander with some genuinely funny lines.